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SPRING FLORA 


OF OKLAHOMA 
WITH KEY 



THOMAS R. STEMEN, M. A. 

Central High School, Oklahoma City 

AND 

W. STANLEY MYERS, A. B. 

Central High School, Oklahoma City 


FIRST EDITION 


HARLOW PUBLISHING COMPANY 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 


1929 


U O 


QK \e.\ 


Copyright 1929, By 
Haklow Publishing Co. 



APR 19 

©CIA 7502 





PREFACE 


We have felt a need of a Key and Flora of the spring 
flowering plants of Oklahoma for high school students. 
This little book has been prepared for the express purpose 
of fulfilling that need in the authors’ biology and botany 
classes. Although it is especially prepared for high school 
students, it may be equally useful to more advanced stu¬ 
dents or anyone interested in the identification of the 
spring flowers of Oklahoma. 

It is our aim to include all of the spring flowering plants 
of the state. We believe that this Flora is incomplete, but 
hope that it will serve as a beginning in this field. We 
would appreciate co-operation of our co-workers in supply¬ 
ing us with specimens of species not listed in this Key and 
Flora. 

We have followed the American Code of Nomenclature. 

The species described in this Flora have been collected 
by the authors from every section of the state, but the 
regions most thoroughly covered are the south central, the 
southwestern, western, and especially the central parts of 
the state. 

Following the description of many of the species is given 
the locality in which they were collected. No doubt, these 
species will be found in other localities having a similar 
environment. The usual habitat is also given after each 
plant description. 

There are 90 families, 265 genera, and 476 species in¬ 
cluded in this Flora. 

The following Manuals should be in every school library 
for ready reference: Britton and Brown’s “Illustrated 
Flora of the Northern States and Canada,” Small’s “Flora 


of the Southeastern United States,” and Gray’s “New 
Manual of Botany.” The “Illustrated Flora of the Northern 
States and Canada” is especially valuable because of the 
illustrations and the synonyms given under each species. 

In the preparation of this little book we have been as¬ 
sisted by many persons, to whom we wish to express our 
thanks. We are especially indebted to the late Dr. A. H. 
Van Vleet for his assistance in classifying and determining 
the range of a great many of the species; to Dr. R. E. Jeffs 
and Dr. Paul B. Sears, who made valuable suggestions; and 
to Margaret Linn, Lucille Robertson, and Andy Campbell, 
students in our botany classes at Central High School for 
preparing the index. Our students have furnished us with 
specimens collected in many parts of the state. 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 


February, 1929. 


Thomas R. Stemen, 
W. Stanley Myers. 


HOW TO USE THE KEY AND FLORA 

The purpose of this Key and Flora is to find the names 
of the spring flowering plants that grow in Oklahoma. 

In determining an unknown species, the student should 
make a careful examination of the plant as a whole, e.g., 
roots, stem, leaves, and flower, also the fruit and seed if 
available. 

The manner of using the Key and Flora in finding the 
names of plants will best be learned by following a few 
examples. Since the Yellow False Garlic (commonly mis¬ 
taken for Wild Onion) is one of the first to bloom in the 
spring and one of the most common, we will use this as 
the first. 

Turn to the Key on page v and begin with Class I. 
Read the paragraph describing it, and, as our plant has its 
flower parts in sixes and leaves are parallel-veined, we 
conclude that it belongs under Class I. Read after I; we 
find that the perianth is free from the ovary; hence, it 
belongs here. Next read after A, and since it has a 
perianth, it does not belong here but belongs under B. 
Read after la. We find the stamens are all alike and 
fertile, so it belongs here. Under la there are 2a, 2b; 
3a, 3b; 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b. It is evident that our plant be¬ 
longs to the first of each of these, and thus it is traced 
to the Liliacese Family, page 5. We turn directly to that 
page and read the description of the family. Finding 
that our plant conforms to it, we follow the key to the 
genera in order to find the genus to which it belongs. Here 
we find two main divisions, “Stem a woody caudex, etc.” 
and “Plants with bulbs and corms.” Since the Yellow 
False Garlic has a bulb it falls under the second division. 
The flowers of our plant are umbeled, “perianth 6-parted,” 
and “odor not onion-like,” therefore it is evidently to be 
looked for under Genus III. Nothoscordum. Turn to page 
7, and read the description of this genus. Our plant 
agrees with this description. We read the description of 
the species and find that the plant belongs here. Thus, the 
scientific name is Nothoscordum bivalve (LO Britton, and 
the common , name is Yellow False Garlic. L. is the 
abbreviation for Linnseous (botanist). Linnseous and Brit¬ 
ton are the authorities for the scientific name of this plant. 


IV 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


P"or our next example, we will take the Carolina Anem¬ 
one, which also blooms early in the spring. Now turn 
to the Key to the Families. Clearly, it belongs to Class II, 
Dicotyledons. After reading paragraph I on page v and 
paragraph II on page xiii, we find that it belongs under I, 
since the flower has a perianth of similar segments. Read 
after A on page v, and after B on page xi. It is evident 
from the description given here that it belongs under the 
B. Under this heading there are two general groups, 
“Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers” and “Herbs or herbace¬ 
ous vines.” Since this plant is an herb, it belongs under the 
second heading, “Herbs or herbaceous vines.” The next 
choice is “Flowers partly or completely epigynous” or “Flow¬ 
ers hypogynous.” This flower is hypogynous. The families 
with hypogynous perianths are grouped under two divisions 
and of these the second, with its “Carpels free or only united 
at the base,” corresponds to our specimen. Under this divi¬ 
sion there are two families and our specimen having many 
distinct carpels traces to Family 25 Ranunculaceae, page 
44. Turning to the key to the genera of the Crowfoot 
Family, page 44, it is found that our specimen falls under 
the second main heading, “Carpels one-ovuled, etc.” The 
plant having flowers subtended by involucres, traces to 
the Genus Anemone, page 46. After reading the descrip¬ 
tion of the genus to be sure that no mistakes thus far have 
been made, read the key to the species. Since the “Invol¬ 
ucre is mostly below the middle of the scape,” it is therefore 
Anemone caroliniana Walt. The name was given it by 
Thomas Walter, as indicated by the abbreviation Walt, 
following it. 

u is used to indicate feet, 
is used to indicate inches. 

" is used to indicate lines or twelfths of an inch. 

1 line (1”) is equivalent to approximately 2 milli¬ 
meters.' 

The measurements have been given in feet, inches and 
lines. A ruler divided into twelfths of an inch will be 
found at the bottom of page xvi for the student’s con¬ 
venience. 


ANALYTICAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES DESCRIBED 
IN THIS FLORA 

Class I. Monocotyledons. 

Flowers usually with their parts in threes or sixes, never in fives. 
Leaves mostly parallel-veined. Embryo with a single cotyledon. 

I Perianth free from the ovary or wanting. 

A. Perianth wanting, or of scale-like or bristle-form divisions. 

1. ARACEAE. 1 

B. Perianth present, herbaceous or colored, never scale-like nor 

bristle-form. 

la. Stamens all alike and fertile. 

2a. Flowers perfect; plants not climbing. 

3a. Divisions of the perianth alike or nearly so. 

4a. Styles united, often short, or rarely wanting. 

5a. Plants with bulbs, corms, erect rootstocks, or 
caudices, or bundles of fleshy roots. 

4. LILIACE^E. 5 

5b. Plants with elongated horizontal rootstocks. 

5. CONVALLARIACEAE. 9 

4b. Styles distinct. 3. MELANTHACEiE. 4 

3b. Divisions of the perianth unlike (3 green sepals and 3 
colored petals) ; leaves linear and the flowers in umbels. 

2. COMMELINACE^E. 2 

2b. Flowers dioecious; plants scrambling or climbing. 

6. SMILACEZE. 10 

lb. Stamens unlike,- or only 3 with fertile anthers. 

2. CO MMELINA CEZE. 

II. Perianth present, adnate to the ovary. 

Stamens 6. 7. AMARYLLIDACEiE. 12 

Stamens 3; leaves 2-ranked, equitant. 

8. IRIDACEZE. 14 

Class II. Dicotyledons. 

Flowers usually with their parts in fives or fours. Leaves 
mostly netted-veined. Embryo with two cotyledons. 

I. Corolla when present choripetalous (petals distinct) ; per¬ 
ianth none, or of similar segments or divided into calyx and corolla ; 
sepals, petals, and stamens sometimes on a disk or hypanthium. 

A. Calyx and corolla both present, calyx may be minute. 

la. Flowers hypogynous or perigynous; ovary free from the calyx. 

V 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


2a. Stamens numerous, at least more than 10 and more than 
twice the petals. 

3a. Carpels more than 1, distinct, or only slightly adherent 
with each other. 

4a. Stamens inserted on the receptacle. 

5a. Stamen filaments much shorter than the anthers; 
perianth 3-parted; leaves entire, alternate, without 
stipules, 2-ranked. 

24. ANONACEJE. 43 

5b. Stamen filaments longer than the anthers; flowers 

perfect; herbs; or climbers with opposite leaves. 

25. RANUN C'ULA CEAE. 44 

4b. Stamens distinct, inserted on the perigynous disk, with 

the calyx; leaves alternate, usually with stipules. 

34. ROSACE/E. 61 

3b. Carpels 1 or more, united, but styles and stigmas may be 

several. 

4a. Ovary simple, 1-celled, placenta 1 parietal, many-ovuled 
or two-ovuled. 

5a. Leaves ternately compound or dissected; herbs. 

25. RANUNCULACE/E. 44 

5b. Leaves simple: trees or shrubs with 1-seeded drupes. 

35. AMYGDALACEZE. 63 

4b. Ovary compound, 1-celled with 2 or more parietal plac¬ 
entae. 26. PAPAVERACE/E. 48 

4c. Ovary compound, many-celled. 

5a. Herbs. 

6a. Sepals 5; petals many, which may be small and 
glandular; leaves alternate, finely dissected. 

25. RANUNCULACE/E. 44 

6b. Calyx persistent, stamens united by their filaments 
into a tube; leaves alternate, palmately-veined, 

with stipules. 

57.. MALVACEAE. 108 

6c. Inflorescence usually a cyathium; leaves opposite, 
alternate or verticillate; ovary 3-celled with 1 or 
2 ovules in each cavity; styles 3. 

46. EUPHORBIACEAE. 89 

5b. Woody plants. 56. TILIACEiE. 107 

2b. Stamens of the same number as the petals and opposite them. 


3a. Monoecious or dioecious herbs; ovary mostly 3-celled with 
3 simple or cleft styles. 

46. EUPHO RBI ACE/E. 89 

3b. Perfect. 

4a. Ovary 2-5 celled. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


vii 


5a. Woody vines climbing by tendrils. 

55. VITACEE. 104 

5b. Shrubs. 54. RHAMNACEE. 103 

4b. Ovary 1-celled. 

5a. Style and stigma 1, fruit a capsule; herbs with simple 
leaves. 65. PRIMULACEE. 127 

5b. Style 1, stigmas 2-3, sepals 2, fruit a capsule; leaves 
succulent. 21. PORTULACACEE. 39 


2c. Stamens not more than twice as many as the petals; when 
of the same number as the petals, alternate with them. 
3a. Carpels 2 or more, distinct or sometimes united at the base. 
4a. Shrubs or trees. 

Leaves punctate with transparent dots, alternate. 

44. RUTACEE. 87 

4b. Herbs. 

5a. Stamens distinct. 

Ga. Carpels as many as the sepals or petals. 

29. CRASSULACEE. 58 

6b. Carpels fewer or more than the sepals or petals. 

34. ROSACEE. 61 

5b. Stamens united; plants with milky sap. 

71. ASCLEPIADACEE. 135 

3b. Carpels 1 or more, united. 

4a. Carpels 1, ovary with 1 parietal placenta; leaves alter¬ 
nate, usually with stipules, usually compound. 

5a. Fruit spiny, indehiscent; leaves simple, exstipulate. 

38. KRAMERIACEE. 70 

5b. Fruit a legume; leaves 2-3 pinnate; flowers regular. 

36. MIMOSACEE. 64 

5c. Fruit a legume, sometimes prickly; upper petal in¬ 
closed by the lateral ones in the bud; leaves simple 
or compound, mostly with stipules. 

37. CESALPINIACEE. 67 

5d. Fruit a legume or loment, upper petal inclosing the 

lateral ones in the bud; leaves compound with 

stipules. 39. FABACEE. 70 

4b. Carpels more than 1, as shown by the compound ovary, 
cavities, placentae, styles, or stigmas. 

5a. Ovary 1-celled. 

6a. Corolla regular or nearly so. 

7a. Ovules several or many, on 2 or more parietal 
placentae. 59. PASSIFLORACEE. 113 

7b. Ovules solitary or on a central placenta in the 
bottom of the cavity. 

8a. Leaves alternate. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


viii 


9a. Ovules solitary, stigmas 3; shrubs; leaves ex- 
stipulate. 

47. ANACARDIACEiE. 95 

9b. Ovules solitary or few; herbs having leaves 
without stipules. 

28, CRUCIFERiE. 50 

9c. Ovules 2 or more; sepals 2; herbs with fleshy 
leaves. 21. PORTULACACE^E. 39 

8b. Leaves opposite. 

9a. Petals not united with the calyx; herbs with 
opposite entire leaves; stems usually swol¬ 
len at the joints. 

10a. Sepals distinct; ovary sessile. 

22. ALSINACEiE. 40 

10b. Sepals united; ovary stipitate. 

23. CARYOPHYLLACEiE. 43 
9b. Petals united with the calyx; herbs mostly 

with opposite, entire leaves and no stipules. 
61. LYTHRACE^E. 114 

9c. Petals free, sepals 2; herbs with fleshy leaves. 

21. PORTULACACEiE. 39 

6b. Corolla irregular. 

7a. Corolla zygomorphic; petals and stamens 5; herbs 
with alternate or opposite stipulate leaves. 

58. VIOLACEAE. 110 

7b. Corolla irregular; petals 4; stamens 6, sepals 

2, minute, herbs, usually with alternate leaves 
with stipules. 

27. FU MARI A CE'iE. 49 

5b. Ovary 2-celled to many-celled. 

6a. Corolla irregular. 

7a. Trees or shrubs with opposite, palmately-com- 
pound leaves; ovary 3-celled. 

52. iESCULACEiE. 102 

7b. Herbs, or somewhat shrubby plants, with simple 
leaves. 

8a. Stamens 6-8; ovary 2-celled, 2-ovuled. 

45. POLYGALACEiE. 88 

8b. Stamens 11-12; ovary 2-6 celled. 

61. LYTHRACE.E. 114 

6b. Corolla regular or nearly so. 

7a. Stamens neither just as many nor twice as many 
as the petals. 

8a. Stamens 6, four long and two short; petals 4. 

28. CRUCIFER^E. 50 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


IX 


8b. Stamens distinct and fewer than the 4 petals; 
trees or shrubs with opposite, pinnate or 
simple leaves. 

67. OLEACE^E. 130 

8c. Stamens about 8, shrubs or trees with palmate- 
ly-veined, opposite leaves, fruit a samara. 

51. ACERACEAE. 100 

7b. Stamens just as many or twice as many as the 
petals. 

8a. Ovules and seeds 1 or 2 in each cavity. 

9a. Herbs usually with milky sap ; flowers mon¬ 
oecious or dioecious. 

46. EUPHORBIACEiE. 89 

9b. Herbs without milky sap; flowers actin- 
omorphic and perfect. 

10a. Cavities of the ovary as many as the 
sepals; leaves with stipules. 

40. GERANIACEiE. 82 

10b. Cavities of the ovary twice as many as 

the sepals; leaves without stipules. 

42. LJNACE'AE. 84 

9c. Shrubs, trees, woody climbers, or herbaceous 
vines. 

10a. Leaves pinnately-veined, simple, not punc¬ 
tate. 

11a. Calyx minute, fruit a berry-like drupe ; 
trees or shrubs with simple, mostly 
alternate leaves. 

48. ILICACEJE. 98 

lib. Calyx not minute; pod colored, dehis¬ 
cent ; seeds inclosed in a pulpy aril. 

49. CELASTRACEiE. ' 99 

10b. Leaves pinnately-compound, alternate; 

trees, with a globose or lobed berry. 
53. SAPINDACE^E. 103 

10c. Leaves palmately-veined or pinnately- 
compound ; fruit winged. 

51. ACERACE^E. 100 

8b. Ovules and seeds 3-5 in each cavity; annual, 
more or less prostrate herbs with pinnate 
leaves. 43. ZYGOPHYLLACEiE. 86 
8c. Ovules and usually seeds many or several in 
each cavity. 

9a. Stipules none when the leaves are opposite. 
10a. Stamens 10, slightly united at the base; 


X 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


leaflets 3, inversely heart-shaped; herbs 
with sour sap. 

41. OXALIDACEiE. 83 

10b. Stamens distinct, not on an hypanthium. 
Styles 2-5, distinct; herbs with oppos¬ 
ite, entire leaves, the stems usually 
with swollen joints. 

23. CARYOPHYLLACEiE. 43 

10c. Stamens distinct, on an hypanthium or 
disk. Style 1, pod in the hypanthium, 
1-6 celled. 

61. LYTHRACEiE. 114 

9b. Stipules between the opposite, trifoliate 
leaves, caducous; shrubs or small trees. 

50. STAPHYLEACE^E. 100 

2d. Stamens 5-60; fleshy herbs with succulent, entire leaves; 
carpels united. ' 21. PORTULACACEiE. 39 

lb. Flowers epigynous; calyx above the ovary. 

2a. Ovules and seeds more than one in each cavity of the ovary. 
3a. Ovary 1-celled. 

4a. Herbs with rough or stinging pubescence; leaves alter¬ 
nate and exstipulate; stamens numerous. 

60. LOASACEiE. 114 

4b. Shrubs; petals 4 or 5; fruit a pulpy berry. 

32. GROSSULARIACE^E. 60 

4c. Herbs with glabrous, succulent, entire leaves; styles 3-8. 

21. PORTULACACEiE. 39 

3b. Ovary 2,-celled to many celled. 

4a. Herbs or herbaceous vines; stamens 4 or 8; style 1. 

62. ONAGRACE^E. 115 

4b. Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers. 

5a. Stamens 4 or 8, style 1; stipules none. 

62. ONAGRACE^E. 115 

5b. Stamens 4 or 5; ovary 4-5 celled; stipules fugacious. 

49. CELASTRACEiE. 99 

5c. Stamens 8-40; shrubs, trees, or woody vines; ovary 
2-many celled. 30. HYDRANGEACEiE. 59 

2b. Ovules and seeds only 1 in each cavity of the ovary. 

3a. Herbs. 

4a. Stamens 2 or 8, style 1, stigma 2-4 lobed. 

62. ONAGRAGEiE. 115 

4b. Stamens 5, fruit dry, styles 2; flowers in umbels. 

63. AMMIACEiE. 120 

3b. Shrubs or trees. 

4a. Stamens 4 or 5, style and stigma 1. 

64. CORNACEiE, 126 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


xi 


4b. Stamens 2 or 8, style 1, stigma 2-4 lobed. 

62 ONAGRACEiE. 115 

B. Only the calyx present, sepals distinct or united, green or colored, 
la. Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers. 

2a. Leaves opposite or whorled. 

3a. Not climbing. 

4a. Trees or shrubs with pinnate leaves and fruit a samara, 
or leaves simple with fruit a drupe. 

67. OLEACE^E. 130 

4b. Trees with a 2-celled ovary, forming a 2-winged, 2- 
seeded fruit. 51. ACERACE.E. 100 

4c. Shrubs parasitic on trees. 

15. LORA NTH ACE/E. 33 

3b. Climbing, more or less woody vires; stamens numerous; 
achenes with long, persistent styles. 

35. RANUNCULACEiE. 44 


2b. Leaves alternate. 

3a. Leaves compound. 

4a. Trees with odd-pinnate leaves; fruit a nut inclosed in a 
husk. 9. JUGLANDACEiE. 16 

4b. Shrubs or trees with pinnate or trifoliate, punctate 
leaves. 44. RUTACEiE. 87 

4c. Trees or shrubs with compound leaves, evenly pinnate 
or bi-pinnate. 33. FABACEZE. 70 

3b. Leaves simple. 

4a. Trees; flowers in dense, spherical heads, the pistillate 
on a long, slender peduncle; twigs with stipular rings. 

33. PLATANACEJE. 61 

4b. Twigs not with stipular rings. 

5a. Flowers epigynous; stamens 5-15; ovary 1-celled. 

64. CORNACEiE. 126 


5b. Flowers liypogynous. 

6a. At least one kind of flowers in aments or ament¬ 
like clusters; fruit a nut with a bur or cup; or 
more or less fleshy and aggregate. 

7a. Sap milky, fruit aggregate and fleshy, flowers in 
ament-like spikes or heads. 

14. MORACE^E. 31 

7b. Sap not milky, fruit a large or small nut. 

8a. Fruit a nut with a bur or cup. 

12. FAGACEAE. 22 

8b. Fruit a small nut, flowers in aments. 

11. BETULACEiE. 

6b. Flowers not in aments. 


21 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


xii 


7a. Trees with pinnately-veined, 2-ranked leaves, 
fruit a samara, drupe or small nut. 

13. ULMACEE. 29 

7b. Trees with 2-ranked leaves having 2 prominent 

side ribs, fruit aggregate. 

14. MORACEE. 31 

7e. Trees or shrubs; leaves not 2-ranked. 

8a. Flowers with 4-5 perigynous stamens alternate 
with sepals; stigmas 2-5, fruit a drupe. 

54. RHAMNACEE. 103 

8b. Flowers with a 4-5 parted calyx, with a sim¬ 
ilar number of stamens in the staminate 
ones; sap milky. 

14. MORACEE. 31 

lb. Herbs or herbaceous vines. 

5a. Flowers partly or completely epigynous. 

6a. Low herbaceous perennials, parasitic on roots; 
flowers in umbel-like clusters; ovary 1-celled. 

16. SANTALACEE 33 

6b. Perennial herbs with axillary flowers; 4 stamens; 

capsule 4-celled. 

62, ONAGRACEE. 115 

5b. Flowers hypogynous. 

6a. Carpels 1-several, always united. 

7a. Fruit a capsule; leaves opposite or whorled, or, 
if alternate, then usually with milky or colored 
sap. 

8a. Herbs with opposite or whorled leaves with¬ 
out stipules; capsule 2-several celled. 

20. AIZOACEE. 38 

8b. Herbs with opposite, entire leaves, usually with 
swollen joints; ovary 1-celled. 

9a. Calyx of distinct sepals. 

22. ALSINACEE. 40 

9b. Calyx of united sepals. 

23. CARYOPHYLLACEE. 43 

8c. Herbs with opposite, alternate, or verticillate 

leaves and usually with milky sap; ovary 
2-3 celled. 46. EUPHORBIACEE. 89 

7b. Fruit an achene, utricle, or fleshy berry ; leaves 
alternate, opposite, or whorled; sap never 
milky. 

8a. Herbs or twining vines with swollen joints and 
sheathing stipules; fruit an achene. 

17. POLYGONACEE. 34 

8b. Stipules where present not sheathing. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


xiii 


9a. Herbs with a colored calyx like a sympetal¬ 
ous corolla; stems with tumid joints; 


fruit an anthocarp. 

19. NYCTAGINACEZE. 37 

9b. Herbs with a calyx not corolla-like; fruit 

a utricle. 

18. CHENOPODIACEZE. 37 

6b. Carpels free or only united at the base. 

7a. Carpels several-many, distinct, not enclosed; 
stamens numerous. 

25. RANUNCULACEiE. 44 

7b, Carpels 1-4 enclosed in the perigynous disk; 
leaves simple or compound with stipules. 

34. ROSACEZE. 61 

C. Perianth none; sometimes a minute border, cup, or gland may 
represent the calyx. 

la. Herbs with milky sap. 46, EUPHORBIACE^E. 89 

lb. Trees or shrubs. 

2a. Leaves opposite. 67. OLEACEZE 130 

2b. Leaves alternate. 

3a. Leaves star-shaped, fragrant. 

31. ALTINGIACEAH. 5,9 

3b. Leaves not star-shaped; flowers imperfect. 

4a. Ovary 1-celled, many-seeded; seeds with a tuft of cot¬ 
tony hairs. to. SALICACEZE. 18 

4b. Ovary 2-celled; pistillate flowers 2 or more in each 
bract of the ament or head. 

11. BETULACEZE. 21 


II. Corolla sympetalous (petals more or less united) ; perianth 
composed of calyx and corolla, calyx may be minute or suppressed. 

A. Flowers hypogynous. 

la. Stamens free from the corolla, as many as the petals and 
alternate with them or twice as many or more. 

2a. Styles 2, distinct with united stigma; plants with milky 
sap and entire leaves, usually opposite or whorled. 

71. ASCLEPIADACEZE. 135 

2b. Choripetalous plants in which the petals are sometimes part¬ 
ly or completely united. 

3a. Ovary 1-celled with 1 parietal placenta ; leaves alternate, 
usually compound. 39. FABACEZE. 70 

3b. Ovary 1-celled; calyx like a sympetalous colored corolla ; 
stems with tumid joints. 

19. NY CTAGINA CEZE. 37 

3c. Ovary 2-celled with a single ovule in each cavity; herbs. 

45. POLYGALA CEZE. 88 


XIV 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


3d. Ovary 5-celled, 5 styles; stamens 5 long and 5 short, 
somewhat united below; herbs. 

41. OXALIDACEZE. 83 

3e. Ovary 4-8 celled, one ovule in each cavity; fruit a berry¬ 
like drupe; trees or shrubs. 

48. ILICACEiE. 98 

3f. Ovary 3-celled; herbs with milky sap. 

46. EUPHORBIACEiE. 89 

lb. Stamens more or less united with the corolla, as many as 

the petals and opposite them or twice as many more. 

3a. Stamens twice as many as the lobes of the corolla or 
more; styles 2-8; plants mostly monoecious or dioecious ; 
leaves alternate and entire. 

66. EBENACEZE. 129 

3b. Stamens twice as many as the lobes of the corolla; style 
one; leaves compound. 

39. FABACEiE. 70 

3c. Stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla. 

4a. Style and stigma 1; herbs; fruit a capsule. 

65. PRIMULACE^E. 127 

4b. Stigma 1; shrubs or trees; leaves serrate or spiny, al¬ 
ternate and simple. 

48. ILICACEZE. 98 

lc. Stamens united with the corolla or only united at the base, 

as many as the petals or fewer and alternate with them. 

3a. Corolla not scarious, usually nerved. 

4a. Carpels 2, distinct below. 

5a. Styles and stigmas united, sap milky, stamens distinct. 

70. APOCYNACE/E. 134 

5b. Styles distinct, stigmas united; stamens mostly united. 

71. ASCLEPIADACEiE. 135 

4b. Carpels united forming a compound ovary. 

5a. Fertile stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla. 
Ga. Ovary 2-many celled, sometimes deeply 4-lobed. 

7a. Leaves alternate, chiefly rough herbs; ovary 4- 
lobed. 75. BORAGINACEiF. 144 

7b. Leaves opposite; if alternate, the ovary not 4- 
lobed. 

8a. Ovary 4-lobed around the style and separating 
into 1-seeded nutlets at maturity; mostly 

herbs with square stems. 

9a. Ovary not deeply lobed ; usually not aromat¬ 
ic. 76. VERBENACEiE. 148 

9b. Ovary deeply 4-lobed around the style; aro¬ 
matic. 77. LABIATiE. 150 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


xv 


8b. Ovary not 4-Iobed and not separating into 1- 
seeded nutlets at maturity. 

9a. Corolla more or less irregular ; ovary 2-celled. 

7«. SCROPHULARIACEZE. 161 
9b. Corolla regular or nearly so. 

10a. Ovary 3-celled: stisonas 3. linear herbs. 

73 POEEMONIACEiE. 140 

10b. Ovary 3-mary celled; stigma 1; shrubs 
or trees. 

48 . TEICACE^E. 98 

10c. Ovary 2-celled; sometimes 3-4 celled: 
styles 1-3, more or less united; mostly 
vines. 

79. CONVOLVULiACEiE. 138 

lOd. Ovary 2-celled; sometimes 3-5 celled: 
carpels several-many seeded; leaves 
usually alternate. 

78 , SOLANACEiE. 156 

lOe. Ovary 2-celled: style simple or 2-lobed, 

sometimes 4-lobed ; leaves stipulate, op¬ 
posite or verticillate. 

68. LOGANIACEiE. 132 

(ib. Ovary 1-celled. 

7a. Ovary forming a many-seeded capsule; smooth 
herbs with sessile, opposite leaves, rarely ver¬ 
ticillate or alternate. 

69 . GENTIANACELZE. 133 

7b. Ovary forming a few-seeded capsule; herbs usual- 

Iv hairy, with alternate or, rarely, opposite 
leaves. 

74. HYDROPHYLEACEZE. 141 

b. Fertile stamens fewer than the lobes of the corolla. 
6a. Corolla zygomorphic. 

7a. Ovules several-many; the ovary not forming 1- 
seeded nutlets. 

8a. Trees, shrubs, or woody vines; seeds winged. 

80. BIGNONIACE^E. 166 

8b. Herbs or rarely trees; placentae axile; seeds 

not on hooks. 

79. SCROPHULARIACE^E. 161 

8c. Herbs with opposite simple leaves; placentae 
parietal; seeds few, supported on hooks. 

81. ACANTHACEiE. 167 

7b. Ovules 2-4; the ovary forming 1-seeded nutlets. 

8a. Ovary not lobed, the style apical. 

76 . VERBENACE^E. 148 


XVI 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


8b. Ovary 4-lobed around the style; herbs usually 
with aromatic leaves. 

77. LABIATE. 150 

6b. Corolla regular; trees or shrubs with opposite 
leaves. 67. OLEACEiE. 130 

3b. Corolla scarious, nerveless; herbs with small flowers in 
spikes or heads. 82. PLANTAGINACEZE. 168 

B. Flowers epigynous. 

la. Flowers not in involucrate heads. 

2a. Leaves alternate. 

3a. Vines with tendrils; flowers monoecious or dioecious; leaves 
palmately lobed or veined ; stamens 3 or less. 

86. CUCTJRBITACE^E. 177 

3b. Herbs with milky sap, not vines; flowers regular; stamens 
5. 87. CAMPANULACEiE. 178 

3c. Herbs with milky sap, not vines; flowers irregular; sta¬ 
mens 5. 88, LOBELIACEJE. 180 

2b. Leaves opposite or whorled. 

3a. Stamens 1-3, fewer than the lobes of the corolla; ovary 
1-celled with 1 ovule or 3-celled with 2 empty cavities; 
leaves without stipules. 

85. VALERIANACEiE. 176 

3b. Stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla ; leaves with 
stipules or in whorls without apparent stipules, 

83. RUBIACE^E. 171 

3c. Stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla; leaves usu¬ 
ally without stipules. 

84. CAPRIFOLIACEzE. 173 

lb. Flowers in involucrate heads; ovary 1-celled. 

2a. Flowers all ligulate; sap milky. 

89. CHICORIACEiE. 180 

2b. Flowers all tubular; or the outer expanded into rays; sta¬ 
mens united by their anthers into a tube around the style; 
sap very rarely milky. 

90. COMPOSITE. 



185 










































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


CLASS 1. Monocotyledoaious Plants. 

Stems with the woody fiber and vessels in bundles or 
threads, which are irregularly imbedded in pithy tissue. 
Leaves mostly parallel-yeined and sheathing at the 
base, alternate, nearly always entire. Parts of the flow¬ 
ers commonly in 3’s. Embryo with one cotyledon. 

FAMILY 1. ARACEiE. Arum Family. 

Herbs with long-petioled, simple or compound leaves, 
rising from a corm or tuberous root; sap acrid or pun¬ 
gent. Flowers crowded on a spadix which is usually sur¬ 
rounded by a spathe. Perianth wanting, or of 4-6 scale¬ 
like segments. Fruit usually a berry. 

ARISiEMA Martins. 

Perennial herbs, springing from a corm or a tuberous 
rootstock. Leaves deeply divided, rising on long petioles, 
and sheathing the base of the simple scape. Spathe rolled 
up at base. Summit of spadix naked, the lower part 
flower-bearing; staminate flowers above, pistillate ones 
below. Stigma flat; ovary 1-celled; berry l-few.-seeded. 

Spathe hooded, open at the throat, enclosing the spa¬ 
dix. 1. A. triphyllum. 

Spathe convolute; summit of the spadix exserted. 

2. A. Dracontium. 

1. Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Torr. Jack-in-the-pulpit. Indian 
Tuknip. Leaves 3-foliate with elliptical-ovate, /pointed segments. 
Spathe green with purple stripes, broad and overhanging at the 
summit. Corm turnip-like, % but much wrinkled, very starchy, and 
filled with intensely burning juice. 

In moist woods. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. May-July. 

2. Arisaema Dracontium (L.) Schott. Green Dragon. Dragon- 
root. Leaf usually single, divided into 5-17 rather narrow-pointed 



2 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


leaflets; spadix tapering to a long, slender point, often bearing fully 
developed staminate and pistillate flowers. 

In moist, rich woods and along streams. Frequent in eastern 
half of state. 


FAMILY 2. COMMELINACE^E. Spiderwort Family. 

Herbs, with fibrous or sometimes thickened roots, 
jointed and often branching, leafy stems. Leaves simple, 
succulent, narrow, entire, sheathing at the base, sheaths 
entire or split. Flowers in terminal cymes or umbels, 
perfect, often irregular. Sepals 3, persistent, herbace¬ 
ous or colored. Petals 3, soon falling or liquefying; 
stamens usually 6, often some of them imperfectly devel¬ 
oped. Ovary 2-3-celled; style single, stigma entire or 
3-lobed, fruit a 2-3-celled, 2-3-valved capsule, seeds soli¬ 
tary or several in each cell. 

Cymes subtended by small or minute bracts very un¬ 
like the leaves. I. Cuthbertia. 

Cymes subtended by an involucre of 1-3 bracts similar 
to the leaves. II. Tradescantia. 


I. CUTHBERTIA Small. 

Perennial herbs, with mostly tufted stems. Leaves al¬ 
ternate, blades very rfarrow and elongated. Cymes um¬ 
bel-like, solitary at the ends of long peduncles, and sub¬ 
tended by very small bracts unlike the leaves. Sepals 3. 
Petals 3, reddish, pink or rose-purple, distinct. Stamens 
6; filaments pubescent. 

1. Cuthbertia graminea Small. Gr^3S-like Spiderwort. Stems 
erect, 2'-8' tall, densely tufted, sometimes 100 or more together, 
commonly simple, slightly zigzag. Leaves numerous; blades nar¬ 
rowly linear or linear-filiform, 4'-6' 'long, acute, mostly erect; 
sheaths ciliate; cymes 3-15-flowered, simple; corollas pink or rose- 
colored. 5"-10" broad. 

Sandy soil. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. April-August. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


3 


II. TRADESCANTIA L. 

Perennials. Stems mucilaginous, mostly upright, leafy. 
Leaves keeled. Flowers lasting for only one day, in um- 
beled clusters, axillary and terminal, produced through 
the summer. Flowers regular. Sepals herbaceous. Pet¬ 
als all alike, ovate, sessile. Stamens all fertile; filaments 
bearded. 

Stems 1' to rarely 4' long; bracts longer than the 
leaves. 1. T. brevicaulis. 

Stems elongated, 4'-3' long; bracts mostly shorter than 
the leaves. 

Foliage bright green; pedicels, like the sepals, pilose 
or villous. 

Pedicels and sepals pilose with gland-tipped hairs. 

2. T. occidentalis. 

Pedicels and sepals villous with non-glandular 
hairs. 3. T. virginiana. 

Foliage glaucous; pedicels glabrous; sepals with a 
tuft of hairs at the apex. 4. T. reflexa. 

1. Tradeseantia brevicaulis Raf. Short-stemmed Spiderwort. 
Often appearing nearly stemless, very hairy. Roots a cluster of dark 
thickened fibers. Leaves lance-linear. Sepals ovate-lanceolate. Co¬ 
rolla about 1' broad, blue or rose-purple. 

Sandy soil. Specimens collected near Enid and Sulphur. April- 
May. Easy to transplant. 

2. Tradeseantia occidentalis (Britton) Smyth. Western Spi¬ 
derwort. Slender, bright green, erect, 1 '-2*4' tall. Leaves narrowly 
linear, involute, their bases often enlarged. The bracts scarcely if 
at all broader than the leaves. Sepals glandular-pubescent. Petals 
blue or reddish, almost 5" long. 

Common on sandy soil. May-August. Easily transplanted. 

3. Tradeseantia virginiaina L. Spiderwort. Glabrous or slightly 
pubescent, succulent, glaucous or green, stems stout, 8'-3° tall. Bracts 
leaf-like, elongated, usually ascending. Petals rich purple-blue, 
G'-l ° long. 

Woods and prairies. Oklahoma County. April-August. 

4. Tradeseantia rteflexa Raf. Reflexed Spiderwort. Perennial, 
glabrous, glaucous. Stems erect, l°-3° tall, nearly straight, commonly 


4 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


much-branched. Leaves linear, straight or somewhat curved, long- 
attenuate. Narrow bracts and glabrous pedicels soon deflexed. Sep¬ 
als ovate-lanceolate, 4"-5" long. Petals blue. 

Sandy or clayey soil. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. Easily 
transplanted. 


FAMILY 3. MELANTHACEiE. Bunch Flower Family. 

Leafy-stemmed perennials, with rootstocks or solid 
bulbs. Flowers racemose or paniculate, perfect, dioecious, 
or polygamous. Petals and sepals each 3, distinct or 
nearly so. Stamens 6; filaments often nearly adnate to 
the base of the sepals and petals; anthers versatile. Pis¬ 
til of three united carpels; ovary 3-celled; styles 3. Fruit 
a septicidal capsule. 

Plants bulbous, perianth segments with one gland. 

Ovary partly inferior; gland obcordate. I. Anticlea. 

Ovary wholly superior; gland obovate or half-orbicu¬ 
lar. II. Toxicoscordion. 


I. ANTICLEA Kunth. 

Glabrous, perennial herbs, with membranous-coated 
bulbs, leafy stems, and rather large, greenish or yellow¬ 
ish-white flowers in terminal racemes. Leaves linear. 
Flowers perfect. Perianth withering-persistent, adnate 
to the lower part of the ovary, its segments bearing a 
single obcordate gland. Stamens free. Capsule 3-celled. 
Seeds numerous. 

1. Anticlea clegans (Pursh.) Rydb. Glaucous Anticlea. Plant 
glaucous. Bulb ovoid, about 1' long, its coat membranous. Stem 
6'-3° tall. Leaves 2"-7" wide; 4'-12' long. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, 
often membranous-margined. Flowers racemose or paniculate, dirty 
white; petals and sepals oval or obovate, obtuse. Capsule ovoid. 

In moist soil. Collected by A. H. Van Vleet. May-August. 

II. TOXICOSCORDION Rydb. 

Glabrous, poisonous, perennial herbs, with membranous- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


5 


coated bulbs, narrowly linear leaves folded together length¬ 
wise and small, perfect, or polygamous flowers in racemes 
or panicles. Petals and sepals bearing an obovate or semi- 
orbicular gland at or above the base of the blade. Ovary 
wholly superior. Stamens more or less adnate to the base 
of the petals and sepals. Anthers subreniform. Ovary 
3-celled. Capsule 3-beaked, containing numerous seeds. 

1. Toxicoscordion Nuttallii (A. Gray) R'ydb. Nuttall’s Cam- 
ass. Light green, scarcely glaucous, stem 12'-24' high. Bulb large, 
coated. Leaves 3"-8" wide, shorter than the stem, strongly con- 
duplicate, the upper very short. Briacts membranous, scarious, short¬ 
er than the slender pedicels. 

Prairies. May-June. Oklahoma County. 


FAMILY 4. LILIACEJE. Lily Family. 

Mostly herbs. Flowers regular and symmetrical. Peri¬ 
anth free from the ovary. Stamens nearly always 6, one 
before each division of the perianth. Ovary usually 3- 
celled. Fruit a pod or berry, few-many-seeded. In our 
■•pecies the divisions of the perianth are colored nearly 
alike. 

Stem a woody caudex; leaves rigid, mostly bearing 
marginal flowers. 1. Yucca. 

Plants with bulbs or corms. 

Flowers umbeled. 

Perianth 6-parted. 

Odor characteristically onion-like. II. Allium. 
Odor not onion-like. III. Nothoscordum. 

Perianth funnel-form, the tube about as long as 
the lobes. IV. Androstephium. 

Flowers solitary. 

Leaves only 2, appearing basal; flowers bractless. 

V. Erythronium, 


6 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


I. YUCCA L. 

Plants with woody and leafy stems, or short caudex. 
Leaves linear or lanceolate, usually rigid and sharp- 
pointed, bearing long, marginal thread-like fibers. Flow¬ 
ers large, bracted, nodding in terminal raceme or panicle. 
Perianth bell-shaped, or nearly globular, greenish-white, 
6 ovate or ovate-lanceolate separate segments. Stamens 
hypogynous, shorter than the perianth, filaments thick¬ 
ened above, often papillose. Anthers small. Ovary 
sessile, 3-celled, or becoming 6-celled, 3-angled, many- 
ovuled. Fruit an oblong, 3-angled, many seeded, dehis¬ 
cent capsule. 

1. Yucca glauca Nutt. BIear-grass. Soapweed. Leaves very 
stiff, and sharp-pointed, l°-3° long, 3"-6" wide, margin fibers fili¬ 
form. Raceme mostly simple, l°-6° long. Flowers 1*4'-3' broad. 
Stigmas green, shorter than the ovary. Capsule 6-sided, 2'-3' long, 
about 1' thick. 

In dry soil. Common. May-June. 

II. ALLIUM (Tourn.) L. 

Flowers perfect, umbellate. Style single, long. Flow¬ 
ers white, pink, purple, or greenish. Perianth of 6 sepals, 
often becoming dry and persistent. Leaves and scape 
rising from a coated bulb; leaves linear, lanceolate- 
oblong, or lanceolate. In one species flowers replaced 
by bulblets (A. Canadense ). Plants with the odor of 
onions. 

Bulb-coats membranous, not fibrous-reticulated. 

1. A. stellatum. 


Bulb-coats fibrous-reticulated. 

Capsule not crested. 

Flowers mostly replaced by bulblets; scape 8'-24' tall. 

2. A. canadense. 


Flowers rarely replaced by bulblets. 

Scape 12'-24' tall; pedicels 8"-12" long; perianth- 
segments thin. 3. A. mutabile. 


Scape 4'-8' tall; pedicels 4"-6" long. 

Bulbs usually solitary; perianth-segments ovate, 
acute or acuminate. 4. A. Nuttallii. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


7 


Bulbs usually two together; perianth-segments 
oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, obtuse. 

5. A. Helleri. 

Capsule-valves with 2 short crests. 6. A reticulatum. 

1. Allium stellatum Ker. Prairie wild onion. Scape terete, 
8'-18' tall, slender, bearing an erect umbel. Bulb-coats membranous. 
Leaves linear. Umbel several-many-flowered, erect, subtended by 2 
lanceolate or ovate, acuminate bracts. Pedicels filiform, G"-10" 
long. Flowers rose-color, Capsule prominently 6-crested. 

Rocky soil. Arbuckle Mountains. July-August. 

2. Allium canadense L. Meadow Garlic. Scape 8'-24' tall. 
Bulb small, less than V high. Flowers pink or white, the perianth- 
segments oblong-lanceolate, acute, about as long as the stamens. 

In moist soil. Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Cleveland counties. 
May-June. 

3. Allium inutabile Michx. Wild Onion. Scape terete, 12'-24' 
tall. Leaves basal, channeled, shorter than the scape. Flowers 
pink, rose or white, 2^2 "-4" long. Perianth-segments lanceolate or 
ovate-lanceolate, acute, acuminate, or obtusish, longer than the sta¬ 
mens. Capsule rather shorter than the perianth, its valves not 
crested. 

Moist soil. Common. April-June. 

4. Allium Nuttallii S. Wats. Nuttall’s Wild Onion. Scape 
slender, terete or nearly so, 4'-8' tall. Leaves basal, shorter than 
the scape or sometimes equaling it. Flowers rose or white, about 
3" long. Perianth-segments ovate, acute, or acuminate, firm, be¬ 
coming rigid in fruit. Stamens shorter than the perianth. Valves 
of capsule not crested. 

Prairies. Common. April-June. 

5. Allium Helleri Small. Heller’s Wild Onion. Bulbs ovoid, 
usually 2 together, fibrous-coated. Scape about 8' high, equaling 
or longer than the leaves. Leaves basal, linear. Bracts ovate to 
ovate-lanceolate, acute. Perianth white or rose. 

Dry soil. April-June. Near Enid. 

6. Allium reticulatum Don. Fraser’s Wild Onion. Similar 
to A. Nuttallii, the bulb rather larger, its coat prominently fibrous- 
reticulated. Scape 3'-10' tall, slender. Leaves usually less than 
1" wide. Pedicels slender, 3"-6" long. Flowers^white or pink, 
2%"-3" long. Perianth segments longer than the stamens, thin. 

Dry, gravelly soil. May-July. Payne County. 


III. NOTHOSCORDUM Kunth. 

Similar to Allium , but without the smell of onions. 


8 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Flowers yellowish-green in loose umbels. Ovules several 
in each cell of the ovary. 

1. Nothosoordum bivalve (L.) Britton. Yellow False Garlic. 
Scape 6'-14' high. Bulb small. Leaves narrowly linear. Flowers 
5" long. Ovules 4-7 in each cell. 

Prairies. Common. March-July. 

IV. ANDROSTEPHIUM Torr. 

Scapose herbs, with membranous-coated corms. Leaves 
basal, narrowly linear. Scape simple, topped by a several- 
rayed umbel, this subtended by several bracts. Flowers 
few, perfect, short-pedicelled. Perianth blue, funnel-form, 
withering-persistent, the tube about as long as the 6 oblong 
lobes. Stamens 6, inserted on the throat of the perianth. 
Filaments united to the middle or above into an erect, 
crown-like tube with the linear, oblong anther. Ovary 
3-celled. Style filiform. Stigma 3-grooved. Ovules several 
in each cavity. Capsule 3-angled, membranous. Seeds few, 
large, oval, black. 

1. Andr ostephium eoeruleum (Scheele) Greene. Androstepiiium. 
Bulbs ovoid, with thin outer coats. Leaves basal, blades flat or half 
terete, equaling the scape, or sometimes longer. Bracts of the umbel 
2-4, scarious, lanceolate, acuminate, persistent, shorter than the 
pedicels. Perianth 10"-13" long, the lobes about as long as the tube. 

Prairies. Common. March-April. 

V. ERYTHRONIUM L. 

Flowers perfect. Perianth-segments distinct and petal¬ 
like. Style single, long, and uncleft. Nearly stemless 
herbs with two smooth and shining, flat leaves tapering into 
petioles ana sheathing the base of the usually one-flowered 
scape which rises from a deeply placed bulb. Flowers 
rather large. 

Offshoots produced at the base of the corm; perianth- 
segments recurved, I. E. albidum. 

No offshoots, propagated by basal corms; perianth- 
segments not recurved. II. E. mesachoreum. 

1. Erythronium albidum Nutt. White Adders-tongue. Leaves 
elliptical-lanceolate, some or not at all spotted. Perianth pinkish- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


9 


white. Inner divisions toothless. Style slender except near the 
apex, bearing 3 short spreading stigmas. 

Rich soil. Near Avery, Oklahoma. March-May. 

2. Erythronium mesachoreum Knerr. Midland Adder’s tongue. 
Leaves narrowly lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, not mottled. Per¬ 
ianth-divisions bluish or lavender-tinted, scarcely or not at all re¬ 
curved. Stigmas spreading. 

Prairies. March-April. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. 


FAMILY 5. CONVALLARIACEA3. Lily-of-the-Valley 

Family. 

Scapose or leafy-stemmed herbs, with simple or branched 
rootstocks, never with bulbs or corms. Flowers solitary, 
racemose, panicled or umbeled, regular and perfect. Leaves 
broad, alternate, verticillate or basal. Perianth inferior, 
4-6-parted with separate segments, or oblong, cylindric or 
urn-shaped and 6-lobed or 6-toothed. Stamens 6, hypogy- 
nous or borne on the perianth. Ovary 2-3-celled, superior. 
Fruit a fleshy berry. 

Perianth-segments separate. I. Streptopus. 

Perianth-segments united into a tube II. Polygonatum. 

I. STREPTOPUS Michx. 

Branching herbs, with horizontal rootstocks. Leaf- 
blades thinnish, sessile or clasping. Flowers solitary, or 
two together, nodding from extra-axillary peduncles. 
Perianth greenish or purplish. Sepals and petals 3 each, 

• separate, with spreading or recurved tips, the petals „ 
keeled. Stamens 6-hypogynous. Filaments flattened, very 
short. Ovary 3-celled. Stigma entire or 3-lobed. Berry 
red, oval, or sub-globose. 

1. Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. Clasping-leaved 
Twisted-stalk. Rootstock short, stout, horizontal, covered with 
thick, fibrous roots. Plants 18'-36' high. Stem glabrous, usually 
branching below the middle. Leaves 2'-5' long, l'-2' wide, acumin¬ 
ate at the apex, cordate-clasping at the base, glabrous, glaucous be¬ 
neath. Peduncles l'-2' long, 1-2-flowered. Flowers greenish-white, 
4"-6" long. Perianth segments nearly lanceolate, acuminate. 


10 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


II. POLYGONATUM (Tourn.) Mill. 

Glabrous or pubescent herbs, with thick, horizontal, 
jointed, and scarred rootstocks. Simple, arching or erect 
stems, scaly below, leafy above, the leaves ovate or lance¬ 
olate, sessile and alternate. Flowers greenish or pinkish, 
axillary, drooping, peduncled, solitary or 2-10 in an umbel, 
the pedicels joined at the base of the flower. Stamens 6, 
included. Filaments adnate to the perianth for half their 
length or more. 

1. Polygonatiun oomimutatum (R. & S.) Dietr. Smooth Sol¬ 
omon’s Seal. Glabrous throughout, stem stout or slender, l°-8° 
high. Leaves lanceolate, oval or ovate, l%'-6' long, darker green 
above than beneath, acute, acuminate or blunt at the apex, narrowed, 
rounded or somewhat clasping at the base. Peduncles 1-8-flowered, 
glabrous. Perianth 6'-10" long. Berry 4"-6" in diameter. 

In moist woods. Collected by A. H. Van Vleet. May-July. 

FAMILY 6. SMILACEiF. Smilax Family. 

Perennial vines, with woody or herbaceous, often prickly 
stems. Leaves alternate; blades several-nerved and netted- 
veined, usually punctate, petioled. Petiole persistent, com¬ 
monly bearing a pair of elongated appendages. Flowers 
dioecious, in axillary, peduncled umbels. Perianth seg¬ 
ments 6. Sepals and petals 3 each, with spreading tips. 
Fruit a berry. 


I. SMILAX L. 

Rootstocks usually very large and tuberous, stems usu¬ 
ally twining, and climbing by means of the spirally 
coiled appendages of the petiole. Lower leaves reduced 
to scales; upper leaves entire or lobed. Flowers regular. 
Perianth-segments distinct, deciduous. Filaments in¬ 
serted on the bases of the perianth-segments. Pistillate 
flowers usually smaller than the staminate, usually with 
1-6 abortive stamen's. Berry black, red or purple. 

Stem annual, herbaceous, unarmed. 1. S. herbacea. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


11 


Stem perennial, woody, usually armed with prickles. 

Leaves glaucous. 2. S. glauca. 

Leaves green on both sides. 

Leaves rounded or lanceolate, 5-nerved. 

3. S. Rotundifolia. 

Leaves ovate, 7-nerved. 4. S. hispida. 

Leaves round-ovate, often narrowed at the middle, 
7-9-nerved. 5. S. Pseudo-China . 

Leaves deltoid or deltoid-hastate, 5-7-nerved, often 
with 1 or 2 additional nerves on each side. 

6. S. Bona-nox. 

1. Smilax herbacea L. Carrion-flower. Stem glabrous, un¬ 
armed, much branched. Leaves ovate, rounded or lanceolate, acute, 
acuminate or cuspidate at the apex, obtuse or cordate at the base. 
7-9-nerved, margins entire or denticulate. Flowers carrion-scented 
when open. Berries bluish black, 3"-4" in diameter. 

In woods and thickets. Collected by A. H. Van Vleet. April-June. 

2. Smilax glauca Walt. Glaucous-leaved Greenbrier. Stem 
terete. Branches and twigs angled, armed with rather stout, nu¬ 
merous, or scattered prickles, or sometimes unarmed. Petioles 3"-6" 
long, tendril-bearing. Leaves ovate, acute or cuspidate at the apex, 
sometimes cordate at the base, entire, glaucous beneath and some¬ 
times also above, mostly 5-nerved, umbels 6-12-flowered. Berries 
bluish black, ripening the first year, about 3" in diameter, 2-3- 
seeded. 

In thickets. May-June. 

3. Smilax rotundifolia L. Greenbrier. Stem woody, terete, 
the branches and young shoots often 4-angled, glabrous. Prickles 
scattered, stout, straight or a little curved, sometimes none. Leaves 
ovate, nearly orbicular, or lanceolate, acute or acuminate at the 
apex, obtuse or cordate at the base, entire or the margins erose- 
denticulate, 5-nerved. Umbels 6-25-flowered. Perianth-segments 
pubescent at the tip. Berries black, 1-3-seeded, about 3" in di¬ 
ameter. Maturing the first year. 

In woods and thickets. Common. April-June. 

4. Smilax liispida Muhl. Hispid Greenbrier. Stem terete be¬ 
low, glabrous, and commonly thickly hispid with numerous, slender, 
straight prickles, the branches more or less angled. Leaves ovate, 
abruptly acute and cuspidate at the apex, obtuse or sub-cordate at 
the base, 7-nerved, or the older ones sometimes with an additional 
pair of faint nerves, the margins usually denticulate. Umbels 10- 


12 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


26-flowered. Berries bluish black, about 3" in diameter, maturing 
the first year. 

In thickets. Common. May-June. 

5. Smilax Pseudo-China L. Long-stalked Greenbrier. Stem 
terete, glabrous, the branches angled. Lower part of the stem beset 
with straight, needle-shaped prickles, the upper part and the branches 
mostly unarmed. Leaves ovate, often narrowed at about the middle 
or lobed at the base, acute or cuspidate at the apex, 7-9-nerved, 
often denticulate on the margins. Umbels 12-40-flowered. Berries 
black, 8-16 in the umbels, 2"-3" in diameter, 1-3-seeded, maturing 
the first year. 

In dry or sandy thickets. Collected by J. W. Blankinship. March- 
August. 

6. Smilax Bona-nox L. Bristly Greenbrier. Stem terete or 
slightly angled, the branches often 4-angled. Prickles scattered or 
numerous, stout or needle-like, often wanting on the branches. Peti¬ 
oles 3"-6" long, often prickly. Leaves ovate or commonly deltoid- 
hastate, sometimes narrowed at the middle, often spiny on the mar¬ 
gins and on the veins beneath, acute or abruptly cuspidate at the 
apex, obtuse, truncate or cordate at the base, 5-9-nerved. Umbels 
15-45-flowered. Stigmas 1-3. Berries 8-2,0 in the umbels, 2"-3" in 
diameter, mostly one-seeded, ripening the first year. 

In thickets. Common. April-July. 

FAMILY 7. AMARYLLIDACEJE. Amaryllis Family. 

Perennial herbs, with bulbs or rootstocks, scapose or 
sometimes leafy stems and usually narrow and entire 
leaves. Flowers perfect, regular or nearly so. Perianth 
6-parted or 6-lobed, the segments or lobes distinct, or 
united below into a tube which is adnate to the surface of 
the ovary. Stamens 6. Style 1. Capsule 3-celled, several- 
many-seeded. • 

Bulbous herbs with flowers on scapes. 

Flower solitary; perianth without a crown. 

Anthers erect; tube of the perianth several 
times the length of its lobes. I. Caoperia. 

Flowers clustered; perianth with a membranous 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


13 


crown connecting the lower parts of the fila¬ 
ments. II. Hymenocallis. 

Bulbless herbs, with rootstocks or corms. 

Tall, fleshy-leaved; anthers versatile. 

III. Manfreda. 

Low, linear-leaved; anthers not versatile. 

IV. Hypoxis. 

I. COOPERIA Herb. 

Perianth tube very long and slender, the limb wide¬ 
ly spreading, 6-parted, the short stems borne on the 
throat. Spathe single, membranaceous. Capsule depressed- 
globose. Seeds numerous. Leaves grass-like from a tuni¬ 
cate bulb. 

1. Cooperia Drummondii Herb. Drummond’s Cooperia. Scape 
slender 8'-20' high. Perianth white or rose-tinged, the stalk-like 
tube often 4' in length. 

On prairies. Collected by Stemen and Myers in Oklahoma and 
Comanche counties. April-July. 

II. HYMENOCALLIS Salisb. 

Capsule thin, 2-3-lobed. Seeds usually 2 in each cell, 
basal, fleshy, often like bulblets. Scapes and leaves from 
a coated bulb. Flowers white, fragrant, large, and showy, 
sessile in an umbel-like head or cluster, subtended by 2 
or more scanous bracts. 

1. Hymenocallis oecidentalis (LeConte) Kunth. Hymenocallis. 
Bulb large. Leaves linear-oblong, narrowed at each end, fleshy, 
glaucous, 12'-24' long, 9"-2' wide. Scape stout, equaling or 
longer than the leaves. Bracts linear-lanceolate, XW long. 
Umbel several flowered. Crown funnel-form, narrowed below, its 
margins entire, erose or 2-toothed between the filaments. Filaments 
adnate to the perianth tube. Ovary 3-celled. Ovules 1 or 2 in each 
cavity. 

In moist soil. McCurtain County. May-September. 

III. MANFREDA Salisb. 

Fleshy herbs with bulbiferous rootstocks and bracted 


14 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


scapes, the leaves basal, and large bracted flowers in 
terminal spikes or racemes. Perianth tubular or funnel- 
form, withering-persistent, of 6 erect or spreading, equal 
or nearly equal lobes, united below into a tube. Stamens 
inserted on the perianth, exserted. Ovary 3-celled, style 
slender, exserted, 3-lobed. Capsule ovoid, sub-globose, or 
oblong, 3-lobed, 3-celled, thick-walled, many seeded. 
Seeds compressed. 

1. Manfreda virginica (L.) Salisb. False Aloe. Rootstock a 
short crown, with numerous, fibrous roots. Scape 2°-6° tall, bracts 
distant, long-acuminate. Leaves narrowly oblong, 6'-24' long, 
%'-2%' wide, acuminate, their margins entire or denticulate. Fra¬ 
grant. Perianth 8"-12" long, its narrow tube twice longer than the 
erect lobes. 

In dry soil. Wichita Mountains. May-July. 

IV. HYPOXIS L. 

Small, apparently stemless herbs. Leaves grass-like, 
hairy, from a solid bulb. Scapes thread-like, few-flow¬ 
ered. Perianth 6-parted, wheel-shaped, the 3 outer divis¬ 
ions greenish on the outside, the whole perianth wither¬ 
ing on the pod. Seeds numerous. 

1. Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville. Yellow Star-grass. Leaves 
longer than the scape, both sparsely set with long, soft hairs. Scape 
3'-8' high. Flowers 1-4, about across, yellow. 

In moist or dry soil. Oklahoma County. May-October. 

FAMILY 8. IRIDACEiE. Iris Family. 

Perennial herbs from bulbs, corms, or rootstocks. 
Leaves 2-ranked, equitant. Flowers perfect, regular or 
irregular, subtended by bracts. Perianth tube adnate to 
the ovary, the segments or lobes in 2 series, convolute in 
the bud, withering-persistent. Stamens 3, distinct or 
monadelphous, alternate with the petals, with extrorse 
anthers. Ovary inferior, mostly 3-celled. Ovules most¬ 
ly numerous in each cell, anatropous. Style 3-cleft. 
Capsule 3-celled, 3-angled or 3-lobed, many-seeded. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


15 


Style-branches 2-cleft, plants bulbous. 

I. Nemastylis 

Style-branches undivided, plants not bulbous. 

II. Sisyrinchium. 


I. NEMASTYLIS Nutt. 

Bulbous herbs with erect, slender, terete, usually 
branched stems and elongated, linear folded leaves. Flow¬ 
ers rather large, in our species blue or purple, solitary 
or several together, fugacious, subtended by 2 herbaceous 
bracts. Perianth 6-lobed. Stamens 3. Ovary 3-celled. 
Styles alternate with the stamens, each parted into 2 
filiform segments. Ovules numerous. Capsule obovoid, 
truncate, dehiscent at the summit. 

1. Nemastylis acuta (Bart.) Herb. Northern, Nemastylis. 
Stem 4'-24' high. Spathes 2-flowered. Flowers l'-2' broad, the di¬ 
visions oblong-obovate, obtuse. Capsule obovoid, 5"-6" high, 3"-4" 
in diameter. 

On prairies. Payne, Comanche and Murray counties. April-June. 


II. SISYRINCHIUM L. 

Sepals and petals (perianth) alike, spreading. Cap¬ 
sule globular, 3-angled. Seeds globular. Low, slender 
perennials, with fibrous roots, grassy or lanceolate leaves, 
2-edged or winged stems, and fCigacious umbeled-clus- 
tered small flowers from a usually 2-leaved spathe. 

1. Sisyrinchium graminoides Bicknell. Stiut. BLUE-Ei r ED grass. 
Stem broadly 2-winged, stout, erect or reclining, usually terminating 
into unequal branches subtended by a conspicuous grassy leaf. Basal 
leaves equaling or shorter than the stem, often lax and grass-like. 
Umbel 2-4-flowered. Flower 6"-9" broad. Capsule sub-globose, 2 
3" in diameter when mature. 

In moist or dry soil, grassy places. Common. April-June. 


CLASS II. Dicotyledonous Plants 


Stems formed of bark, wood, and pith. Leaves netted- 
veined. Flowers with their parts in 5’s or 4’s. Cotyle¬ 
dons 2. 

FAMILY 9. JUGLANDACEiE. Walnut Family. 

Trees with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves without stip¬ 
ules. Flowers monoecious, the staminate in long and 
drooping catkins. Stamens few or many. Calyx 2-6- 
parted. Fertile flowers solitary or in small clusters. 
Calyx 3-5-lobed, minute petals sometimes present. Ov¬ 
ary inferior, 1-celled or incompletely 2-4-celled. Fruit 
(strictly speaking, a drupe) with a dry husk inclosing a 
bony nut. 

Husk indehiscent; nut rugose. I. Juglans. 

Husk at length splitting into segments; nuts smooth 
or angled. II. Hicoria. 


I. JUGLANS L. 

Staminate catkins cylindrical, solitary, borne on wood 
of the previous year. Stamens numerous, filaments short. 
Calyx 4-6-parted. Pistillate flowers, single or a few to¬ 
gether on a short peduncle at the base of the growth of 
the season. Calyx 4-parted. Petals 4, minute, epigynous. 
Styles 2, short, plumose. Fruit large, roundish or oval, 
husk fibrous-fleshy, becoming dry, indehiscent. Nut bony, 
very rough. 

1. Juglans nigra L. Black Walnut. Leaflets 13-21, ovate- 
lanceolate, serrate, taper-pointed, somewhat cordate or oblique at 
the base, nearly smooth above, downy beneath. Petioles minutely 
downy. Fruit usually single, roundish, about 2' in diameter. 

In rich woods. Common along streams. April-May. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


17 


II. HICORIA Raf. 

Leaflets serrate. Staminate catkins usually in 3’s on 
a common peduncle, or sometimes sessile at the base of 
the growth of the season; calyx 2-3-parted. Stamens 3-10, 
filaments short. Pistillate flowers 2-5 in terminal clus¬ 
ters. Calyx 4-parted. Petals none. Styles 2 or 4, fringed. 
Fruit somewhat globular, husk separating more or less 
completely into 4 valves. Nut smooth or angled. 

Bud scales few, valvate; lateral leaflets lanceolate or 
oblong-lanceolate, falcate. 

Nut not compressed or angled; seed sweet. 

1. H. Pecan. 

Nut somewhat compressed or angled; seed intensely 
bitter. 

Leaflets 5-9; nut smooth. 2. H. cordiformis. 
Leaflets 9-13; nut angled. 3. H. aquatica. 

Bud-scales imbricate; lateral leaflets not falcate. 

Husk of the fruit freely splitting to the base; bract 

* of the staminate calyx at least twice as long as 
the lobes. 

Bark shaggy, separating in long plates; foliage 
glabrous or puberulent. 

Leaflets oval to oblong-lanceolate, puberulent. 

4. H. ovate. 

Bark close, rough; foliage very pubescent and 
fragrant. 

Rachis of the leaves and staminate catkins 
densely hirsute. 5. H. alba. 

Husk of fruit not freely splitting to the base; bract 
of the staminate calyx about as long as the lobes. 

6. H. glabra . 

1. Hicoria Pecan (Marsh) Britton. Pecan. Minutely downy, 
becoming nearly smooth. Leaflets 9-17, ovate-lanceolate, tapering 
gradually to a slender point, falcate, serrate. Nut olive-shaped. 

River bottoms. Common. April-May. 

2. Hicoria cordiformis (Wang.) Britton. Bitter-nut. Swamp 
Hickory. A slender tree, the bark close and rough. Bud-scales 6-8, 
small, valvate, caducous, young foliage puberulent, becoming nearly 


18 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


glabrous. Leaflets 7-9, sessile, long-acuminate, lanceolate or oblong- 
lanceolate, the lateral ones falcate. Staminate aments slightly pub¬ 
escent, peduncled in 3’s at the bases of the shoots of the season or 
sometimes on twigs of the previous year. Lobes of the staminate 
calyx labout equal, the bract narrower. Fruit sub-globose, narrowly 

6- ridged. Husk thin, tardily 4-valved. Nut little compressed, not 
angled, thin-shelled. Seed very bitter. 

In moist woods and swamps. Harrah, Oklahoma, and eastern 
part of state. May-June. 

3. Hicoria aquatica (Michx.) Britton. Water or Swamp Hick¬ 
ory. A swamp tree, attaining a maximum height of about 100°, 
the bark close, the young foliage pubescent, becoming nearly glabrous 
when mature. Leaflets 9-13, lanceolate, or the terminal one oblong, 
long-acuminate at the apex, narrowed at the base, the lateral strongly 
falcate. Staminate aments and calyx las in the preceding species. 
Fruit oblong, ridged, pointed. Husk thin, tardily splitting. Nut 
oblong, thin-shelled, angular, seed bitter. 

Wet woods and swamps. Eastern part of the state. March-April. 

4. Hicoria ovata (Mill.) Britton. Siiell-bark Hickory. Tree 
becoming 120° tall, the bark separating in large plates. Leaflets 5, 
or rarely 7. The blades of the lateral ones oval to oblong-lanceolate. 
Staminate aments slender, 4'-6' long. Fruits sub-globose, l'-2' thick, 
the husk thick. Nut slightly angled, thin-shelled, the seed sweet. 

In rich soil. Eastern part of the state. May. 

5. Hicoria alba (L.) Britton. White-heart Hickory. Mock- 
ernut. Tree becoming 100° tall, the hark with flat ridges. Leaflets 

7- 9, the blades of the lateral ones oblong or oblong-lanceolate. Stam¬ 
inate aments stout, 4'-6' long. Fruits globose or globose-obovoid, 
iy 2 '-3y 2 ' long. Husk thick, freely splitting to the base. Nut grayish 
white, angled, pointed at the summit, little compressed, thick-shelled. 
Seed sweet. 

In rich 'soil. Eastern part of the state. May-June. 

6. Hicoria glabra (Mill.) Britton. Pig-nut Hickory. Tree 
becoming 120° tall, the bark close, rough. Leaflets mostly 3-7, rarely 
9, the blades of the lateral ones oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acumin¬ 
ate, green beneath, glabrous. Staminate aments glabrous, peduncled 
in 3’s, 2%'-4' long. Fruit sub-globose, obovoid or obovoid-oblong, 
lyj'-S' long. Husk thin. Nut brown, angled, pointed, very thick- 
shelled. Seed astringent and bitter, not edible. 

In dry or moist woods. Payne county. May-June. 


FAMILY 10. SALICACEiE. Willow Family. 

Dioecious trees or shrubs, with flowers in catkins, desti¬ 
tute of floral envelopes. Fruit a 1-celled pod, with nu- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


19 


merous seeds, provded with rather long and silky down, 
by means of which they are transported by the wind. 
Bracts fimbriate or incised; stamens numerous; stig¬ 
mas elongated. I. Populus. 

Bracts entire; stamens 2-10; stigmas short. 

II. Salix. 


I. POPULUS. L. 

Trees with scaly, resinous buds, terete or angled twigs 
and broad or narrow, usually long-petioled leaved. The 
stipule minute, fugacious. Staminate aments dense, pen¬ 
dulous. Pistillate aments pendulous, erect or spreading. 
Ovary sessile. Style short, stigmas 2-4, entire or 4-lobed. 

1. Populus deltoides Marsh. Cottonwood. A tree attaining the 
height of 150° and a trunk diameter of 7°-8°. Foliage glabrous. 
Leaves broadly deltoid-ovate, abruptly acuminate at the apex, cren- 
ulate, truncate at the base. Petiole flattened laterally, stout. Bracts 
glabrous, deeply-fimbriate. Staminate aments drooping, 3'-5' long, 
5"-6" in diameter. Pistillate aments loosely flowered. Capsules 
ovoid, acute, 2-4-valved. 

In moist soil. Common. Mjarch-May. 

II. SALIX (Tour.) L. 

Shrubs or trees, with single-scaled buds. Leaves usu¬ 
ally long and narrow. Stipules sometimes leaf-like or 
often small and soon deciduous. Bracts of the catkins 
entire. Staminate flowers with 1-10, mostly 2, stamens, 
distinct or united. Pistillate aments usually erect or 
spreading. Stigmas 2, entire or 2-cleft. 

Stamens 3-7; filaments hairy at the base; bracts caduc¬ 
ous, light yellow. 

Leaves green or pale beneath. 

Leaves narrowly lanceolate; petioles very short. 

1. S. nigra. 

Leaves broadly lanceolate; petioles slender. 

2. S. amygdaloides. 

3. S. Wardi. 


Leaves whitish beneath. 


20 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Stamens 2. 

Leaves entire, finely and almost permanently silky. 

4. S. exigua. 

Leaves denticulate, coarsely silky when young, 
glabrate in age. 5. S. interior. 

1. Salix nigra Marsh. Black Willow. A tree, rough, flaky, 

dark brown bark, attaining a height of about 120°. Leaves narrowly 
lanceolate, acute or acuminate at the apex, narrowed at the base, 
often falcate, short petioled, serrulate. Stipules various, persistent 
or deciduous.. Aments expanding with the leaves, on short lateral 
branches, the staminate l'-2' long, the pistillate long and 

spreading in the fruit. Stamens 3-7, distinct. Filaments soft, hairy 
below. Oapsule ovoid, acute, glabrous. 

Along streams and lakes. Common. April-May. 

2. Salix amygdaloides Anders. Peach-leaved Willow. A small 
tree sometimes 70° high, the brown bark scaly. Leaves lanceolate 
or ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate at the apex, narrowed at the 
base, sharply serrate. Petioles 3"-7" long, glandless. Pistillate 
aments becoming very loose in fruit, 2%'-4' long. Capsule narrowly 
ovoid, acute, glabrous. 

On lakes and river banks. Common. April-May. 

3. Salix Ward! Bebb. Ward’s Willow. A tree sometimes 30° 
high, the branches spreading or drooping, the bark dark reddish- 
brown. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, long-acuminate or 
acute at the apex, rounded, subcordate, or narrowed at the base, 
bright green above, silvery white and somewhat pubescent beneath. 
Stipules often large, sometimes persistent. Aments terminal. Fila¬ 
ments pilose at the base. Capsules conic, glabrous, glandular-gran- 
ulose. 

Along streams and lakes. Common. March-Miay. 

4. Salix exigua Nutt. A shrub or small tree up to 20° high. 
Leaves linear to linear-oblanceolate, small, usually not more than 
3' long and 3" wide, entire, acute at each end. Aments borne on 
lateral, leafy branches, 2' long or less. Capsule silky when young 
and glabrous when mature. 

River and lake shores. April-May. 

5. Salix interior Rowlee. Sandbar or River-bank Willow. A 
much branched shrub, 2°-30° tall. Leaves linear-lanceolate or linear- 
oblong, acuminate, remotely denticulate with somewhat spreading 
teeth. Petioles not glandular. Capsule ovoid-conic, glabrous or 
silky, about 2" long. 

Along streams and lakes. April-May. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


21 


FAMILY 11. BETULACEiE. Birch Family. 

Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, petioled leaves, 
with usually deciduous stipules. Flowers monoecious in 
cylindrical or sub-globose aments. Staminate aments 
drooping. Flowers 1-3 in the axil of each bract. Calyx 
none or membranous and 2-4-parted. Stamens 2-10, dis¬ 
tinct. Calyx none or membranous and 2-4-parted. Sta¬ 
mens 2-10, distinct. Pistillate aments drooping, spread¬ 
ing, or erect and spike-like. Ovary solitary, 1-2-celled. 
Ovules 1-2 in each cell. Fruit a 1-celled nut or a key. 

Staminate flowers solitary in the axil of each bract, 
destitute of a calyx; pistillate flowers with a calyx. 

Fruiting bractlet flat; 3-cleft and incised. 

I. Carpinus. 

Fruiting bractlet bladder-like, closed, membranous. 

II. Ostrya. 

Staminate flowers 3-6 together in the axil of each bract, 
with a calyx; pistillate flowers without a calyx. 

Stamens 2; filaments 2-cleft; fruiting bracts 3- 
lobed or entire, deciduous III. Betula. 

I. CARPINUS L. 

Trees with thin, straight-veined leaves, primary veins 
terminating in the larger teeth. Staminate aments linear- 
cylindric, sessile at the ends of short, lateral branches of 
the preceding season, their flowers solitary in the axil of 
each bract. Pistillate flowers in small terminal aments, 
2 to each bract, consisting of a 2-celled ovary adnate to a 
calyx and subtended by flat, persistent bractlet, foliaceous 
and lobed, or incised in fruit. Fruit a small, angular nut. 

1. Carpinus caroliniana Wialt. American Hornbeam. Leaves 
ovate-oblong, pointed, sharply double-serrate, soon nearly smooth. 
Bractlets 3-lobed, halberd-shaped, sparingly cut-toothed on one side, 
acute. 

In moist woods land along streams. April-May. Eastern part 
of the state. % 


22 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


II. OSTRYA (Micheli) Scop. 

Trees similar to the Hornbeams, the primary veins of 
the leaves simple or forked. Staminate aments sessile at 
the ends of brarichlets of the preceding season, flowers 
solitary in the axil of each bract. Pistillate aments small, 
terminal, erect, the flowers 2 to each bract, subtended by 
a tubular, persistent bractlet which enlarges into a mem¬ 
branous, nerved, bladder-like sac in fruit. Fruit a small, 
pointed, smooth nut. Mature pistillate ament hop-like. 

1. Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) Willd. Ironwood. Hop Hornbeam. 
Leaves oblong-ovate, taper-pointed, very sharply double-serrate, 
downy beneath, with 11-15 principal veins. Buds acute. Involucral 
sacs bristly-hairy at the base. 

In rich woods. April-May. Eastern part of the state. 

III. BETULA (Tourn.) L. 

Trees with slender, aromatic twigs, and thin, usually 
straight-veined leaves. Staminate aments drooping, flow¬ 
ers usually 3 in the axil of each bract. Stamens 4, short. 
Anthers 1-celled. Pistillate aments erect, flowers 2 or 3 
in the axil of each bract. Ovary sessile, 2-celled. Styles 
2. Bracts 3-lobed. Perianth none. Nut broadly winged. 

1. Betula nigra L. River Birch. Red Birch. A medium-sized 
tree with reddish-brown bark. Leaves rhombic-ovate, acute at the 
apex, acute or obtuse at the base, sharply and doubly serrate, white- 
downy below, becoming smoother with age, petioles short. Staminate 
catkins 2'-3' long. Pistillate catkins l'-l%' long, peduncles short, 
bracts nearly equally 3-cleft, w T ooly. 

Borders of streams, rivers and in swamps. April-May. 


FAMILY 12. FAGACEZE. Beech Family. 

Trees or shubs. Leaves alternate, simple, pinnately 
veined. Stipules deciduous. Flowers monoecious, the 
staminate in heads, or in drooping, spreading, or erect 
catkins. Calyx minute. Petals none. Stamens 4-20. Pis- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


23 


tillate flowers solitary or in small clusters, each flower 
subtended by more or less united bracts, which at ma¬ 
turity form a cup or bur. Calyx minutely toothed; petals 
none; ovary 2-7-celled, but becoming 1-celled. Fruit a 
1-seeded nut. 

Staminate flowers capitate; nut sharply triangular. 

I. Fagus. 

Staminate flowers in slender aments or catkins; nut 
rounded or plane-convex. II. Quercus. 


I. FAGUS (Tourn.) L. 

Trees with smooth, close, ash-gray bark, and slender, 
often horizontal branches. Staminate flowers in long, 
slender-peduncled, roundish clusters; calyx bell-shaped, 
4-6-cleft; stamens 8-12; anthers 2-celled. Pistillate flow¬ 
ers, or, more often, in pairs, peduncled, surrounded by a 4- 
lobed involucre and numerous linear bracts; ovary 3- 
celled, with 2 ovules in each cell, but usually only one 
ovule maturing in each ovary; styles 3, thread-shaped. 
Fruit a thin-shelled, 3-angled nut. 

1. Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. American Beech. Large tree. 
Leaves oblong-ovate, taper-pointed, distinctly and often coarsely 
toothed, light green. Petioles and midrib soon nearly naked. Prickles 
of the yellowish fruit subulate-filiform, elongated, recurved or spread¬ 
ing. 

Rich soil. April-May. Eastern part of state. 


II. QUERCUS (Tourn.) L. 

Trees or shrubs, with hard, coarsely-grained wood. 
Leaf blades entire, toothed, or lobed, firm-membranous 
or leathery, sometimes evergreen. Staminate aments or 
catkins elongate, drooping, clustered; calyx campanulate, 
4-7-lobed, stamens 6-12; filaments filiform. Pistillate 
flowers solitary or in lax spikes; capyx urn-shaped or 
cup-shaped. Ovary usually 3-celled; styles 3; ovules 2 
in each cell, but seldom more than one maturing in each 


24 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


pistil. Fruit a leathery, 1-seeded nut (acorn), partly en¬ 
closed in an accrescent, scaly involucre (cup). 

1. Leaves or their lobes bristly-tipped, deciduous; acorns 
maturing in autumn of second year. 

A. Leaves pinnatifid or pinnately lobed. 

Leaves green on both sides. 

Cup of the acorn saucer-shaped, much broader than 
high. 

Cup 8"-12" broad; acorns ovoid; leaves dull. 

1. Q. rubra. 

Cup 4"-8" broad; leaves shining. 

Acorn sub-globose or short-ovoid; northern. 

2. Q. palustris. 

Acorns ovoid; southern. 3. Q. Schneckii. 

Cup of the acorn turbinate or hemispheric. 

Inner bark gray to reddish; leaves deeply lobed. 

4. Q. coccinea. 

Inner bark orange; leaves pubescent in the 
axils of the veins beneath. 5. Q. velutina. 

Leaves white or gray-tomentose beneath. 

6. Q. triloba. 

B. Leaves 3-5-lobed above the middle or entire, obovate 
* or spatulate in outline. 

Leaves obovate-cuneate, brown-floccose beneath. 

7. Q. marilandica. 

Leaves spatulate to obovate, glabrous both sides. 

8. Q. nigra. 

C. Leaves entire, oblong, lanceolate or linear-oblong. 
Leaves linear-oblong, green and glabrous on both sides. 

9. Q. Phellos. 

Leaves oblong or lanceolate, brown-tomentulose be¬ 
neath. 10. Q. inbricaria. 

2. Leaves or their lobes not bristle-tipped, deciduous; 
acorns maturing in autumn of first year. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


25 


A. Leaves pinnatifid or pinnately lobed. 

Mature leaves pale, or glaucous and glabrate beneath; 
cup shallow. 11. Q. alba. 

Mature leaves tomentulose beneath; cup one-third to 
fully as long as the acorn. 

Upper scales of the cup not awned. 

Leaves yellowish-brown-tomentulose beneath; 
acorn ovoid. 12. Q. stellata. 

Leaves white-tomentulose beneath; acorn de¬ 
pressed-globose. 13. Q. lyrata. 

Upper scales awned, forming a fringe around the 
acorn. 14. Q. macrocarpa. 

B. Leaves crenate or dentate, not lobed. 

Fruit peduncled. 

Peduncle much longer than petioles; leaves white- 
tomentulose beneath. 15. Q. bicolor. 

Peduncle equaling or shorter than the petioles; 
leaves gray-tomentulose beneath. 

Teeth of the leaves acute or mucronulate. 

16. Q. Michauxii. 

Teeth of the leaves rounded. 17. Q. Prinus. 

Fruit sessile or nearly so. 

Tall tree; leaves oblong, obovate or lanceolate. 

18. Q. Muhlenbergii. 

Shrub or low tree; leaves oval or obovate. 

19. Q. prinoides. 

3. Leaves entire (rarely with a few bristle-tipped lobes), 
evergreen. 20. Q. virginiana. 

1. Quercus rubra L. Red Oak. A large tree. Leaves oval or 
obovate, green above, pale and sightly downy beneath. Sinuses shal¬ 
low and rounded, lobes 8-12, taper-pointed. Petioles long. Cups 
saucer-shaped, with fine scales. Acorn ovate or oblong, about 1 

long. 

Found in both rich and poor soil. Eastern part of the stat?. 
May-June. 


26 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


2. Quercus palustrus DuRoy. Swamp Oak or Pin Oak. A 
large tree, bark brown, rough when old. Leaves broadly oblong or 
obovate in outline, deeply pinnatifid, sometimes almost to midrib, 
bright green, glabrous and shining above, duller, glabrous or with 
tufts of hairs in the axils of the veins beneath, the lobes oblong, 
lanceolate or triangular-lanceolate, divergent, 1-4-toothed or entire, 
teeth and apices tipped with filiform bristles. Oup saucer-shaped, 
4"-6" broad, base flat, bracts triangular-ovate, acute or obtuse, ap- 
pressed. Acorn sub-globose or ovoid, 4"-7" high, often striate, 2-3 
times as long as the cup. 

In moist ground. May-June. 

3. Quercus Schneckii Britton. Schneck’s Oak. Large tree. 
Leaves mostly obovate in outline, bright green and shining above, 
paler and with tufts of wool in the axils beneath, 2'-6' long, truncate 
or broadly wedge-shaped at the base, deeply pinnatifid into 5-9 oblong 
or triangular lobes, which are entire or coarsely few-toothed, the 
lobes and teeth bristle-tipped, cup deeply saucer-shaped, 6"-8" 
broad, its scales obtusish or acute, appressed. Acorn ovoid, %'-T 
long, 2-3 times as high as the cup. 

Plains and prairies. April-May. 

4. Quercus coccinita Wang. Scarlet Oak. Leaves deeply pin¬ 
natifid, glabrous, bright green and shining above, paler and some¬ 
times pubescent in the axils of the veins beneath, 4'-8' long, rather 
thin, the lobes oblong or lanceolate, divergent or ascending, few¬ 
toothed, the teeth and apices bristle-tipped. Oup hemispheric or 
top-shaped, its bracts triangular-lanceolate, appressed or the upper 
slightly squarrose, mostly glabrous. Acorn ovoid or ovoid-globose, 
6"-10" high, about twice as long as the cup. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

5. Quercus velutina Lam. Black Oak. Leaves pinnatifid or 

lobed to beyond the middle, firm, brown-pubescent or sometimes stell¬ 
ate-pubescent when young; when mature, glabrous and dark dull 
green above, pale green and usually pubescent on the veins beneath, 
the broad oblong or triangular-lanceolate lobes and their teeth bristle- 
tipped. Cup hemispheric or top-shaped, broad, commonly nar¬ 

rowed into a short stalk, its bracts mostly pubescent, the upper 
somewhat squarrose. Acorn ovoid, V<z-V high, longer than the cup. 

In rocky or sandy soil. May-June. 

6. Quercus triloba Michx. Spanish or Water Oak. Leaves 
dark green and glabrous above, gray-tomentulose beneath, deeply 
pinnatifid into 3-7 linear or lanceolate, often falcate, acuminate, en¬ 
tire or dentate lobes. Teeth and apices bristle-tipped. Terminal 
lobes commonly elongated. Cup saucer-shaped with a turbinate base, 
5"-7" broad, its bracts ovate, obtuse, appressed. Acorn sub-globose 
or depressed, about twice as high as the cup. 

In dry soil. May to June. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


27 


7. Quercus Marilandica Muench. Black Jack Oak. A tree 
sometimes 60° high, usually lower. Leaves obovate in outline, stell¬ 
ate-pubescent above and brown-tomentose beneath when young, 3-5 
lobed toward the broad, usually nearly truncate, apex, cuneate be¬ 
low, the lobes short, entire or sparingly toothed, bristle-tipped. Ma¬ 
ture leaves dark green, glabrous above, paler and more or less floc- 
cose beneath. Cup deep, 5"-8" broad, its bracts oblong-lanceolate, 
appressed, pubescent. Acorn ovoid, 2-3 times as high as the cup. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

8. Quercus nigra L. Water or Black Jack Oak. A small tree. 
Leaves spatulate or obovate, 1-3-lobed at the apex, or some of them 
entire and rounded, coriaceous, short-petioled, finely reticulate-veined, 
glabrous when mature except tufts of hairs in the axil of the veins 
beneath, the lobes low, usually obtuse, and bristle-tipped. Cup saucer- 
shaped with a rounded base, 5"-7" broad, it's bracts appressed. Acorn 
globose-ovoid, 2-3 times as high as the cup. 

Along streams and on upland. April-Mjay. 

9. Quercus Phellos L. Willow Oak. A tree of medium size, 
leaves lanceolate or elliptical, scurfy when young and becoming 
smooth with age, very short-petioled. Cup shallow, nearly flat at 
the base, sessile. Acorn sub-globose. 

In moist woods. April-May. 

10. Quercus imbricaria Michx. Shingle Oak. Leaves oblong or 
lanceolate, entire, coriaceous, acute at both ends, short-petioled, 
bristle-tipped, dark green above, persistently brown-tomentulose be¬ 
neath. Cup hemispheric or turbinate, 5"-7" broad, its bracts ap¬ 
pressed. Acorn sub-globose. 

Rich woods. April-May. 

11. Quercus alba L. White Oak. Leaves obovate in outline. 
Green above, pale and more or less glaucous beneath, thin, pinnatifid 
into 3-9 oblong, obtuse, ascending, toothed or entire lobes. Cup de¬ 
pressed-hemispheric, 7"-10" broad, its bracts thick, obtuse, woolly 
or at length glabrate, closely appressed. Acorn ovoid-oblong, 3-4 
times as high as the cup. 

In woods. May-June. 

12. Quercus stellata Wang. Post Oak. Leaves broadly obovate 
in outline, deeply lyrate-pinnatifid into 3-7 broad, rounded, often 
deeply undulate or toothed, lobes; when mature firm, glabrous, dark 
green and shining above, brown tomentulose beneath. Cup hemis¬ 
pheric, G"-8" broad, base narrowed, its bracts lanceolate, sub-acute, 
slightly squarrose. Acorn ovoid, 2-3 times as long as the cup. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

13. Quercus lyrata Walt. Overcup Post Oak. Leaves obovate 
in outline, mostly narrowed at the base, lyrate-pinnatifid or lobed 
to beyond the middle, thin, densely white-tomentulose or becoming 

glabrate beneath, the lobes lanceolate or oblong, rounded or sub-acute, 
entire or toothed, the upper pair the larger and usually divergent. 


28 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Cup depressed-globose, its bracts broad, thin, cuspidate. Acorn de¬ 
pressed-globose, high, nearly or quite immersed in the cup. 

In swamps or along streams. April-May. 

14. Quercus macrocarpa Michx. Mossy-cup or Bur Oak. 
Leaves obovate or oblong-obovate in outline, rather thin, irregularly 
lobed, pinnatifid, or some coarsely crenate. Cup hemispheric or sub- 
globose, 8"-2' in diameter, its bracts floccose, thick, hard, ovate or 
forming a fringe around the acorn. Acorn ovoid, 1-2 times as high 
as the cup. 

In rich soil. May-June. 

15. Quercus bicolor Willd. Swamp white oak. Leaves obo¬ 
vate, or oblong-obovate, coarsely toothed or sometimes lobed nearly 
to the middle, narrowed or rounded at the base, firm. Cup hemis¬ 
pheric, its bracts pubescent, lanceolate, appressed, the lower obtuse, 
the upper acute or acuminate. Acorn oblong-ovoid. 

In moist or swampy soil. May-June. 

16. Quercus Michauxii Nutt. Basket Oak. Leaves obovate or 
broadly oblong, apex acute or acuminate, base narrowed, rounded or 
sub-cordate, sharply toothed, the teeth acute or mucronulate. Cup 
depressed-hemispheric, its bracts thick, ovate or lanceolate, appressed, 
acorns ovoid, about 3 times as high as the cup. 

In moist soil. April-May. 

17. Quercus Prinus L. Rock Chestnut Oak. Leaves coarsely 
crenate, oblong, oblong-lanceolate or obovate. Cup hemispheric, its 
bracts tomentose, triangular-ovate, acute or cuspidate, appressed. 
Acorn ovoid, 2-3 times as high as the cup. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

18. Quercus Muhlenbergii Engelm. Chestnut or Yellow Oak. 
Leaves oblong, lanceolate or obovate, apex acuminate or acute, base 
narrowed or rounded, coarsely toothed. Cup hemispheric, its bracts 
floccose, ovate, acute or cuspidate, appressed. Acorn ovoid, about 
twice as high as the cup. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

19. Quercus prinoides Willd. Scrub ro Dwarf Chestnut Oak. 
A shrub, 2°-15° tall, sometimes tree-like. Leaves obovate, coarsely 
toothed, mostly acute or short-acuminate at the apex, narrowed at 
the base, the teeth short, triangular, sub-acute or obtuse. Cup hemi¬ 
spheric, thin, its bracts floccose, triangular-ovate or oblong-lance¬ 
olate, appressed. Acorn ovoid, obtuse, 2-3 times as long as the cup. 

In dry sandy or rocky soil. April-May. 

20. Quercus virginiana Mill. Live Oak. Leaves evergreen, 
coriaceous, oblong, elliptic or oblanceolate, apex obtuse, base nar¬ 
rowed or rounded, entire, or, with a few bristle-tipped teeth. Cup 
turbinated, its bracts closely appressed, ovate or lanceolate. Acorn 
ovoid-oblong. 

In dry soil. March-April. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


29 


FAMILY 13. ULMACEJE. Elm Family. 

Trees or shrubs with watery juice. Alternate, simple, 
petiolate, serrate, stipulate leaves, which are usually 2- 
ranked. Small, bi-sexual, or somewhat monoecious, apet- 
alous flowers. Calyx of 3-9 sepals, which are distinct or 
partly united. Stamens as many as the sepals and op¬ 
posite them. Ovary 1-2 celled. Styles 2, spreading. Fruit 
a key, nut, or drupe. 

Flowers borne in clusters on twigs of the preceding 
season; fruit a samara, or nut-like. 

Flowers mostly expanded before the leaves; calx 4-9- 
cleft; fruit a samara. I. Ulmus. 

Flowers expanding with the leaves; calyx 4-5-cleft; 
fruit nut-like. II. Planera. 

Flowers borne on twigs of the season, the pistillate 
mostly solitary; fruit a drupe. III. Celtis. 

I. ULMUS L. 

\ 

Trees with straight-veins, unsymmetrical, doubly ser¬ 
rate leaves. Stipules early deciduous. Flowers bi-sexual. 
Calyx bell-shaped, 4-9-cleft. Stamens slender, protrud¬ 
ing. Ovary compressed. Styles 2, spreading. Fruit 
membranaceous flat, winged on the edge. Leaves smooth 
or slightly rough above; samara densely ciliate. 

None of the branches corky-winged; samara? faces glab¬ 
rous. 1. U. americana. 

Some of the branches corky-winged; samara-faces pub¬ 
escent. 2. JJ. (data. 

Leaves very rough above; samara not ciliate; twigs not 
corky-winged. 3. U. fulva. 

1. Ulmus americana L. American or White Elm. Leaves oval 
or obovate, apex abruptly acuminate, base obtuse or obtusish, and 
very inequilateral, sharply and usually doubly serrate, smooth or 


30 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


rough above, pubescent or becoming glabrous beneath, 2'-5' long, 
wide. Flowers fascicled. Calyx 7-9-lobed, oblique, its lobes 
oblong, rounded. Samara ovate-oval, reticulate-veined, 5"-6" long, 
its faces glabrous, its margins densely ciliate. 

In moist soil and along streams. Common. March-April. 

2. Ulmus alata Michx. Winged Elm. Wahoo. A small tree 
with branches corky-winged. Leaves small, ovate-lanceolate, acute, 
sharply serrate, base nearly equal-sided, rough above, downy beneath, 
nearly sessile. Flowers in small clusters. Fruit oblong, downy on 
the sides, ciliate on the edges. 

On rich soil. March. Occasionally producing a second set of 
flowers and fruit from September-November. 

3. Ulmus fulva Michx. Slippery Elm. Leaves large, thick, 
very rough above, downy beneath, ovate or obovate, taper-pointed at 
the apex, unsymmetrical, obtuse or somewhat cordate at the base, 
coarsely and doubly serrate. Calyx lobes and pedicels downy. Fruit 
broadly oval, downy over the seed, the twig smooth. Inner bark 
very fragrant when dried. 

Along streams. March-April. 

II. PLANERA J. F. Gmel. 

Flowers monoecious or polygamous. Calyx 4-5-cleft. 
Stamens 4-5. Ovary ovoid, 1-celled, 1-ovuled, with 2 spread¬ 
ing styles which are stigmatose down the inner side, in fruit 
becoming coriaceous. Trees with small leaves, like those 
of the elms, the flowers appearing with them in small, 
axillary clusters. 

1. Planera aquatiea (Walt.) J. F. Gmel. Water Elm. Nearly 
glabrous. Leaves ovate-oblong, small. Fruit stalked in the calyx, 
beset with irregular rough projections. 

Swamps. Eastern parts of the state. April-May. 

III. CELTIS L. 

Trees or shrubs with entire or serrate, petioled leaves. 
Flowers greenish, axillary, on wood of the same season, the 
staminate in small clusters, the fertile single or 2-3 to¬ 
gether. 

Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, drupe 4"-5" in di¬ 
ameter. 1. C. occidentalis. 

Leaves lanceolate to ovate lanceolate, drupe 3"-4" in 
diameter. 2. C. mississippiensis. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


31 


1. Celtis ocddenitalis L. Hackberry. A large or medium-sized 
tree, having much the appearance of an elm, bark dark and rough. 
Leaves ovate, taper pointed at the apex, abruptly obtuse and in¬ 
equilateral at the base, smooth above, usually somewhat downy be¬ 
low. Fruit a small, dark purple drupe. 

On rich soil. Common. April-May. 

2. Celtis mississippiensis Bose. Southern Hackberry. A tree, 
bark gray, often very warty. Leaves broadly lanceolate or ovate, 
long-taper-pointed at the apex, obtuse or sometimes heart-shaped at 
the base, entire or with very few serratures, smooth on both sides, 
3-nerved. Fruit a purplish-black, globose drupe. 

In dry soil. April. 


FAMILY 14. MORACEiE. Mulberry Family. 

Trees, shrubs, or herbs, usually with milky juice, alter¬ 
nate leaves, large, deciduous stipules, and small monoec¬ 
ious, or dioecious flowers crowded in spikes, heads, or 
racemes, or inclosed in a fleshy receptacle. Staminate 
flowers with a usually 4-lobed calyx, and with as many 
stamens opposite the lobes. Filaments usually inflexed 
in the bud, straightening at maturity. Pistillate flowers 
usually 4-sepalous. Ovary 1-2-celled, 1-2-ovuled. Styles 
2. Receptacle and perianth often fleshy at maturity. 

Staminate and pistillate flowers spiked; leaves dentate 
or lobed. I. Morus. 

Staminate flowers racemose or spiked; pistillate capi¬ 
tate. 

Pistillate perianth deeply 4-cleft; leaves entire. 

II. Toxylon. 

Pistillate perianth 3-4 toothed; leaves various. 

III. Papyrius. 

I. MORUS (Tourn.) L. 

Trees or shrubs with milky juice. Flowers monoecious 
or dioecious, the staminate and pistillate flowers on sep¬ 
arate spikes, the pistillate spikes becoming juicy, aggre- 


32 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


gate fruits. Stamens 4. Perianth 4-parted, persisting in 
the pistillate flowers and becoming fleshy, and inclosing 
the ovary, in the fruit. 

1. Morus rubra L. Red Mulberry. A small tree. Leaves ovate 
or nearly orbicular in outline, scabrous above, persistently pubescent 
beneath, acuminate at the apex, rounded, truncate or cordate at the 
base, serrate-dentate or 3-7-lobed. Staminate spikes drooping. Pis¬ 
tillate spikes spreading or pendulous in fruit, dark purple-red, de¬ 
licious. 

In rich soil. April-May. Common. 

II. TOXYLON Raf. 

A small tree with milky juice. Leaves alternate, pet- 
ioled, spines axillary. Flowers dioecious. Staminate flow¬ 
ers in short axillary racemes. Calyx 4-parted. Stamens 4, 
indexed in the bud. Pistillate flowers in axillary, ped- 
uncled, capitate clusters. Calyx 4-parted. Ovary sessile. 
Style long. Calyxes becoming thickened and fleshy in 
fruit and aggregated into a large, dense, globular head. 

1. Toxylon pomiferum Raf. Osage Orange, Bois D’Arc. Leaves 
ovate, ovate-lanceolate or ovate-oblong, glossy, entire, apox acumin¬ 
ate, base obtuse, truncate or subcordate. Syncarp globose, yellow¬ 
ish-green, tubercled. 

In rich soil. June and May. 

III. PAPYRIUS Lam. 

Trees, with milky juice, the leaves alternate, petioled, 
entire, serrate, or 3-5-lobed, 3-nerved at the base. Flow¬ 
ers dioecious, the staminate in cylindric, ament-like spikes, 
the pistillate capitate. Staminate flowers with a deeply 
4-cleft perianth, 4 stamens. Pistillate flowers with an 
ovoid or tubular 3-4-toothed perianth, a stalked ovary 
and a 2-cleft style. Head of the fruit globular, the drupes 
red. 

1. Papyrius papyrifera (L.) Kuntze. Paper Mulberry. A small 
tree. Leaves mostly ovate, thin, long-petioled, serrate nearly all 
around, often deeply 3-lobed, sinuses rounded. 

Escaped from cultivation. May-June. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


33 


FAMILY 15. LORANTHACEiE. Mistletoe Family. 

Parasitic green shrubs or herbs, containing chloro¬ 
phyll, growing on woody plants and absorbing food from 
their sap, through specialized roots called haustoria. 
Leaves opposite. Flowers regular. Fruit a berry. 

I. PHORADE/NDRON Nutt. 

Evergreen, shrubby plants, parasitic on trees (espec¬ 
ially elm in our territory). Branches greenish, jointed, 
and very brittle. Leaves leathery. Flowers dioecious, in 
short, jointed spikes. Staminate flowers globular, calyx 
2-4-lobed, stamens sessile at the base of the lobes, anthers 
transversely 2-celled. Stigma sessile. Berry 2-seeded. 

1. Phoradendron flavesoens (Fursh.) Nutt. American Mistle¬ 
toe. Leaves oblong or obovate. Berry globose, white. May-July. 


FAMILY 16. SANTALACEiE. Sandalwood Family. 

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with entire leaves. The 4-5- 
cleft calyx valvate in the bud, its tube coherent with the 
1-celled ovary. Ovules 2-4, suspended from the apex of 
a stalk-like free central placenta which rises from the 
base of the cell, but the (indehiscent) fruit always 1- 
seeded. 


I. COMANDRA Nutt. 

Erect, perennial herbs, sometimes growing parasitical- 
ly on the roots of other plants. Stamens 5, rarely 4, in¬ 
serted at the base of the lobes of the campanulate or urn¬ 
shaped calyx, and between the lobes of a fleshy disk. 
Anthers connected to the middle of the calyx lobes by 
tufts of hairs. Globose fruit surmounted by the persist¬ 
ent calyx. 

1. Comandra pallida A. DC. Pale Comandra. Leaves linear or 
linear-lanceolate. Flowers cymose-clustered. Fruit ovoid-oblong. 

In dry soil. Blaine and Comanche counties. April-July. 


34 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 17. POLYGONACEiE. Buckwheat Family. 

Herbs with alternate, entire leaves, and usually with 
sheathing stipules above the swollen joints of the stem. 
Flowers apetalous, generally bi-sexual, with a 3-6-cleft 
calyx, generally colored and persistent. Fruit a com¬ 
pressed or 3-angled achene, inclosed in the calyx. Seeds 
with endosperm, which does not generally enclose the 
embryo. Stamens 4-12, on the base of the calyx. 

Stigmas tufted; sepals of the inner row usually ac¬ 
crescent. 

Calyx 6-parted; style 3-parted; achene 3-angled. 

I. Rumex. 

Stigmas capitate, 2-cleft or toothed; sepals of the 
outer row often accrescent or reflexed. 

II. Polygonum. 


I. RUMEX L. 

Annual or perennial herbs with grooved and usually 
branched stems of various habits. Leaves entire or un¬ 
dulate, flat or crisped. Ocreae cylindrical and fugacious. 
Inflorescence of simple or compound racemes. Calyx 6- 
parted, the inner 3 parts usually developing into wings in 
the fruit. Stamens 6. Style 3-parted. Flowers greenish, 
small, crowded in panicled racemes. 

1. Leaves hastate; flowers dioecious; foliage acid; low 
species. 

A. Inner sepals not developing wings in fruit; achene 
granular. 1. R. Acetosella. 

2. Leaves not hastate; flowers perfect or polygamo- 
dioecious; foliage scarcely or not at all acid; tall 
species. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


35 


A. Leaves flat; bright or light green, or glaucescent. 

Wings broad, reddish; no tubercles. 

2 R. venosus. 

Wings small, not red, bearing tubercles. 

Tubercles usually 3; Pedicels several times 
longer than the wings. 3. R. verticillatus. 

Tubercle usually 1; pedicels equaling the wings. 

4. R. altissimus. 

B. Leaves wavy-margined or crisped, dark green, not 
glaucesent. 

Wings entire, more or less undulate. 5. R. crispus. 

Wings toothed or fringed. 6 R. obtusifolius. 

1. Rumex Acetosella L. Sheep Sorrel. Annual or perennial, 
glabrous, dioecious, stem slender, erect or nearly so, simple or 
branched, the rootstock woody, horizontal or creeping. Leaves nar¬ 
rowly hastate, obtuse or acute at the apex, the basal auricles entire, 
or 1-2-toothed. Ocreae silvery, 2-parted, soon lacerate. Flowers in 
erect, panicled racemes. Achene less than 1" long, very granular, 
exceeding the persistent calyx, its angles not margined. 

In dry fields and on hillsides. Caddo, Lincoln and Oklahoma 
counties. May-September. 

2. Rumex venosus Pursh. Veined or Winged Dock. Perennial 

by woody rootstocks, glabrous. Stem rather stout, erect, somewhat 
flexuous, 6'-15' tall, grooved and branched. Leaves ovate, ovate-lance¬ 
olate or oblorg, l'-5' long, acute at both ends or acuminate at the 
base, petioled, rather coriaceous. Ocrese funnel-form, thin, brittle. 
Racemes mostly erect. Calyx red, pedicelled, very conspicuously 
winged in fruit. Wings large, broad, suborbicular with a 

deep sinus at the base, veiny, reddish. Achene 3" long, smooth, 
shining, its faces concave, its angles margined. 

Dry soil. Oklahoma County. May-August. 

3. Rumex verticillatus L. Swamp Dock. Perennial, glabrous, 
rather bright green. Stem stout, grooved, erect, ascending or de¬ 
cumbent, 2°-5° long. Leaves narrowly oblong, oblong-lanceolate or 
lanceolate, 2'-12' long, narrowed at both ends or obtusish at the 
apex, slightly papillose, long-petioled. Wings broadly deltoid, 2" 
long, each bearing an ovoid tubercle. Achene 1%" long, reddish, 
pointed, smooth, shining, its faces concave. 

In swamps. Garfield County. May-July. 

4. Rumex altissimus Wood. Tall or Pale Dock. Perennial, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


86 


glabrous, rather pale gromi. Stem stout, erect, grooved, 2°-4° tall. 
Leaves lanceolate, oblong-larceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acute at 
both ends, papillose. Calyx light green, 1" long, winged in fruit. 
Wings triangular-cordate, 2"-2 1 /^" long, usually only one of them 
bearing an ovoid tubercle. Achene 1%," long, dark red, smooth, 
shining, its faces concave. 

Moist soil. Common. April-June. 

5. Rumex crispus L. Curled or Yellow Dock. Perennial, 
glabrous, dark green, stem rather slender, erect, grooved, 12'-42' 
tall. Leaves crisped and wavy-margined, the lower oblong or oblong- 
lanceolate, 6'-12' long, the upper narrowly oblong or lanceolate, 3'-6' 
long, all cordate or obtuse at the base, more or less papillose. Wings 
cordate, l%"-2" long, truncate or notched at base, erose-dentate or 
nearly entire, each bearing a tubercle. Achene 1" long, dark brown, 
shining. 

Waste places. Common. May-July. 

6. Rumex obtusifolius L. Broad-leaved or Bitter Dock. Per¬ 
ennial, glabrous, dark green. Stem stout, erect, grooved, more or 
less scurfy above, 24'-48' tall. Lower leaves oblong-lanceolate, 6'-14' 
long, all cordate or rounded at the base, obtuse or acute at the apex, 
the upper lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 2'-6' long, the margins 
somewhat undulate or crisped. Wings hastate, 2"-2%" long, fringed 
with a few, spreading, spiny teeth, one of them bearing an oblong 
tubercle. Achene 1" long, pointed, dark red, smooth, shining, its 
angles slightly margined. 

In waste places. May-August. 

II. POLYGONUM (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial, with enlarged joints and simple, 
alternate, entire leaves. The sheathing stipules often cut or 
fringed. Flowers bi-sexual, usually white or rose-colored. 
Each flower or cluster subtended by a membranaceous 
bract similar to the stipules of the leaves. Calyx mostly 
5-parted, the divisions petal-like, erect and persistent. 
Stamens 3-9. Styles 2-3-parted. Fruit lens-shaped or 3- 
angled. 

1. Polygonum aviculare L. Knot-grass. Annual, pale green or 
bluish green. Stem low or ascending, 4'-24' long. Leaves broad, 
oblong to obovate-oblong, 13"-20" long, narrowed at the base, usually 
acute at the apex or sometimes obtuse. Ocrese silvery. Clusters 
1-5-flowered. Achene 3-angled, ovoid, l%"-2" long, acute, striate, 
reticulated. 

In dooryards and where the ground is trampled. May-September. 
Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


37 


FAMILY 18. CHENOPODIACE7E. Goosefoot Family. 

Herbs or shrubs. Leaves simple, alternate, without 
stipules. Flowers small, actinomorphic, either bi sexual 
or more or less monoecious or dioecious. Calyx free from 
the ovary. Corolla wanting. Stamens usually 5 oppo¬ 
site the sepals. Styles or stigmas generally 2. Fruit 
with one seed usually inclosed in a small, bladdery sac, 
sometimes an achene. 

I. MONOLEPIS Schrad. 

Flowers small, glomerate in the upper axils. Sepal 1, 
green, entire, bract-like, fleshy, obtuse. Utricle moder¬ 
ately flattened. Seed vertical, much compressed. 

1. Monolepis Nuttalliana (R. & S.) Greene. Branched from 
the base, 3'-12' high, somewhat fleshy, rather pale green, scarcely 
or not at all mealy. Leaves lanceolate in outline, short-petioled, or 
the upper sessile, 6"-18" long, narrowed at the base, 3-lobed, the 
middle lobe linear or linear-oblong, acute or acuminate. Flowers 
clustered in the axils. Pericarp minutely pitted. 

In alkaline or dry soil. Common. May-August. 

FAMILY 19. NYCTAGINACEiE. Four-O’clock Family. 

Herbs with simple, entire leaves, and regular flowers 
on terminal or axillary clusters, subtended by involucres 
of distinct or united bracts. Petals none. Calyx inferior, 
usually corolla-like, its limb campanulate, tubular or sal¬ 
ver-form, 4-5-lobed or 4-5-toothed. Stamens hypogynous. 
Ovary enclosed by the tube of the perianth, sessile or stip- 
itate, 1-celled, 1-ovuled. Fruit a ribbed, grooved or 
winged anthocarp. 

I. ALLIONIA Loefl. 

Forking herbs, with opposite, equal leaves, and in¬ 
volucres in loose terminal panicles or solitary in the axils 


38 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


of the leaves. Involucre 5-lobed, becoming enlarged and 
reticulate-veined after flowering. Perianth campanulate, 
its tube constricted above the ovary, its limb corolla-like, 
deciduous. Stamens 3-5, generally 3, unequal, hypogy- 
nous. Fruit obovoid or clavate, strongly ribbed, pub¬ 
escent in most species. 

Leaves sessile or nearly so, lanceolate to oblong. 

1. A. albida. 

Leaves manifestly petioled, ovate, often cordate. 

2. A. nyctaginea. 

1. Allionia albida Walt. Pale Umbrella-wort. Stem erect, 
furrowed or striate, 4-sided below, 12'-36' tall, glabrous or short- 
pubescent above, or pubescent to the base, the peduncles and branches 
commonly glandular and viscous. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lance¬ 
olate, 3-veined from the base, glabrous, pubescent or ciliate. Invol¬ 
ucre much enlarged in fruit, pubescent, ciliate, becoming whitish 
and purple-veined. Perianth pink, white or lilac. Fruit with hispid 
ribs, roughened in the furrows. 

In dry soil. May-August. 

2. Allionia nyctaginea Michx. Heart-leaved Umbrella-wort. 
Stems angled, often 4-sided below, glabrous or slightly pubescent, 
12'-36' tall. Leaves broadly ovate to oblong, acute at the apex, 
cordate, rounded, truncate or narrowed at the base. Peduncles and 
pedicels commonly pubescent. Involucre shorter than the flow T ers. 
Perianth red. Fruit oblong or narrowly obovoid, very pubescent. 

In dry soil. Common. May-August. 


FAMILY 20. AIZOACEiE. Carpet-Weed Family. 

Mostly fleshy herbs, mainly natives of Africa. Stems 
prostrate and branching, with opposite or verticillate 
leaves and solitary, cymose, or glomerate perfect, small, 
regular flowers. Ovary usually free from the calyx, 3-5- 
celled, and ovules numerous in each cell. 

I. MOLLUGO L. 

Low, branching annuals. Sepals 5, greenish outside, 
white inside. Corolla wanting. Stamens 5, alternate with 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


39 


the sepals, or 3, alternate with the cells of the ovary. 
Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded. 

1. Mollugo verticillata L. Carpet-weed. Stems branching and 
forming radiating patches. Leaves clustered in apparent whorls at 
the joints of the stem, spatulate. Flowers in little sessile umbels at 
the joints. Stamens commonly 3. Ovary ovoid or globose, usually 
3-celled. Capsule usually 3-celled, 3-valved. Seeds small, the testa 
smooth, granular or sculptured. 

In waste places and cultivated grounds. May-September. Com¬ 
mon. 

FAMILY 21. PORTULACACEiE Purslane Family. 

Herbs. Leaves opposite or alternate, entire.' Stipules 
dry and membranaceous. Sepals 2. Petals 4 or more, dis¬ 
tinct or united below. Stamens 4 or more, hypogynous or 
perigynous. Ovary usually superior, 1-celled. Style sim¬ 
ple or 3-cleft. Ovules 2-many. Capsule circumscissile, 
or dehiscent by 3 valves. 

Seeds numerous; stamens 5-many. I. Talinum. 

Seeds not more than 6; stamens 2-5. II. Claytonia. 

I. TALINUM Adans. 

Fleshy, glabrous, erect or ascending, perennial or an¬ 
nual herbs, with scapose or leafy stems, alternate, terete 
or flat, ex-stipulate leaves, clustered at the base, and 
mainly cymose, racemose, or panicled flowers. Sepals 2, 
ovate. Petals 5, hypgynous, fugacious. Capsule ovoid, 
oval or globose, 3-valved. 

Flowers 4"-8" broad; sepals deciduous. 

Stamens 10-30; capsules globose. 1. T. teretifolium. 

Stamens only 5; capsule oval. 2. T. parviflorum. 

Flowers 10"-15" broad; sepals persistent. 

3. T. calycinum. 

1. Talinum teretifolium Pursh. Fame-flower. Perennial, erect, 
4'-12' high, leafy at the base. Leaves linear, terete. Scape-like 
peduncles 1-5, terminal, branched, leafless, slender, bracted at the 
nodes. Cymes terminal, loose, the branches ascending or divaricate. 


40 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Flowers pink, 6"-8" broad. Capsule globose, 2" in diameter. Bracts 
of the cyme ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1" long, prolonged posteriorly. 

On dry rocks. May-August. Common. 

2. Talinum parviflorum Nutt. Small-flowered Talinum. Per¬ 
ennial. Leafy below. Leaves terete or nearly so, linear, broadened 
at the base. Scape-like peduncle very slender, 3'-8' tall. Cymes 
loose, their branches and pedicels ascending. Flowers pink, 4"-5" 
broad. Capsule lanceolate, slightly prolonged posteriorly. 

In dry soil. May-September. Common. 

3. Talinum calycmuin Engelm. Large-flowered Talinum. Per¬ 
ennial, erect from a very thick root, slender, 6'-10' high. Leaves 
nearly terete, clustered at the base, the base triangular-broadened. 
Cyme terminal, somewhat compound, scarious bracted, its branches 
ascending. • Flowers pink, 10"-15" broad. Stamens 12-30. Capsule 
globose-ovoid, about 3" in diameter. 

In dry soil. May-June. 

II. CLAYTONIA (Gronov.) L. 

Perennial, succulent, glabrous herbs, with corms, or 
thick rootstocks, petioled basal leaves, and opposite or alter¬ 
nate cauline ones. Flowers terminal, racemose. Sepals 2, 
ovate, persistent. Petals 5, hypogynous, distinct. Stamens 
5, inserted on the bases of the petals. Ovary few-ovuled. 
Style 3-lobed or 3-cleft. Capsule ovoid or globose, 3-valved, 
3-6-seeded. 

1. Claytonia virginica L. Spring Beauty. Ascending or de¬ 
cumbent, perennial from a deep, tuberous root. Leaves linear or 
linear-lanceolate, narrowed into a petiole, the basal 3'-7' long, the 
cauline shorter and opposite. Raceme terminal, loose, somewhat 
secund. Flowers white or pink, with darker pink veins. Capsule 
shorter than the sepals. 

Roadsides, woods, prairies. March-May. Common. 


FAMILY 22. ALSINACEiE. Chickweed Family. 

Annual or perennial herbs with opposite, entire leaves, 
stipules small and dry or none, and mostly small, perfect 
flowers, solitary or in cymes or umbels. Calyx of 4 or 5 
sepals, separate to the base, or nearly so. Petals as 
many as the sepals, rarely wanting. Stamens twice as 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


41 


many as the sepals, or fewer, inserted at the base of the 
sessile ovary, or on a small disk. Ovary usually 1-celled. 
Styles 2-5, distinct. Ovules several or numerous on a 
central placenta. Fruit a capsule. 

Petals deeply 2-cleft or 2-parted. 

Capsule ovoid or oblong, dehiscent by valves. 

I. Alsine. 

Capsule cylindric, commonly curved, dehiscent by 
teeth. II. Cerastium. 

Petals entire or emarginate. 

Styles as many as the sepals, alternate with them. 

III. Sagina. 

Styles fewer than the sepals. IV. Arenaria. 

I. ALSINE (Tourn.) L. 

Mostly annual, generally diffuse herbs, with cymose, 
white flowers. Capsule globose, oval, or oblong. Seeds 
smooth or roughened, globose or compressed. 

1. Alsine media L. Common Chickweed. Annual, weak, tufted, 
much branched, decumbent or ascending, 4'-16' long, glabrous except 
a line of hairs along the stem and branches, the pubescent sepals 
and the sometimes ciliate petioles. Leaves ovate or oval, acute or 
rarely obtuse, the lower often cordate, long. Flowers 2"-4" 

broad, in terminal leafy cymes or also solitary in the axils. Sepals 
oblong, mostly acute, longer than the 2-parted petals. Capsule ovoid, 
longer than the calyx. Seeds rough, sometimes crested. 

In waste places, meadows, and woods. Common. January- 
December. 


II. CERASTIUM L. 

Annual or perennial. Stems diffuse, usually downy. 
Leaves opposite. Flower white, peduncled, in terminal, reg¬ 
ularly forking cymes. Sepals 4-5. Petals 4-5, notched or 
2-cleft. Stamens 10. Styles 5 or less. Capsules cylindri¬ 
cal, 1-celled, many-seeded. 


42 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Pedicels much longer than the calyx. 

1. C. longipedunculatum. 

Pedicels sh6rter than or but little exceeding the calyx. 

2. C. brachypodum. 

1. Cerastium longipedunculatum Muhl. Nodding Chickweed. 
Annual, stem weak, reclining or ascending, diffusely branched, 6'-24' 
long, striate, finely clammy-pubescent to glabrate. Lower and basal 
leaves spatulate, obtuse, petioled, y^-V long, those of the middle 
part of the stem lanceolate or oblong. Inflorescence loosely cymose. 
Flowers 2"-3" broad. Pods nodding, 5"-9" long, curved upward, much 
exceeding the calyx. 

In moist, shaded places. April-June. 

2. Cerastium brachypodum (Engelm.) Robinson. Short-stalked 
Chickweed. Annual. Stems 3'-10' high, clammy-downy. Lower 
leaves oblanceolate or spatulate, the upper ones linear to lanceolate. 
Pedicels shorter or not much longer than the calyx. Petals longer 
than the sepals. Capsule straight or slightly curved upwards. 

In dry soil. Mareh-July. Common. 

III. SAGINA L. 

Tufted, matted, low annual or perennial herbs, with sub¬ 
ulate leaves, and small, pedicelled, whitish flowers. Sepals 
4 or 5. Petals of the same number, entire, emarginate or 
none. Stamens of the same number, or fewer, or twice as 
many. Ovary 1-celled, many ovuled. Styles as many as 
the sepals and alternate with them. Capsule 4-5-valved, the 
valves opposite the sepals. 

1. Sagina decumbens (Ell.) T. & G. Decumbent Pearlwort. 
Annual. Stems decumbent, erect or ascending, 2'-4' long, glabrous 
or minutely glandular-pubescent above. Leaves narrowly linear, 
sometimes bristle-tipped, 3"-5" long. Peduncles filiform, 3"-15" long. 
Flowers 1"-1%" broad. Sepals, petals, and styles 5. Pod ovoid- 
oblong, nearly twice as long as the calyx. Seeds with resinous glands. 

In dry soil. March-May. Common. 

IV. ARENARIA L. 

Annual or perennial, mainly tufted herbs, with sessile 
leaves, and terminal, cymose, or capitate, rarely axillary, 
and solitary, white flowers. Sepals 5, petals 5, entire or 
scarcely emarginate, rarely none. Stamens 10. Styles gen- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


43 


erally 3. Ovary 1-celled, many-ovuled. Capsule globose or 
oblong. Seeds reniform-globose or compressed. 

1. Arenariia patula Michx. Pitcher’s Sandwort. Annual. 
Branched from the base, erect or ascending, 4'-10' high, finely pubes¬ 
cent or glabrous. Leaves soft, herbaceous, linear-filiform, 4"-12" 
long, y< 2 ? wide or less. Cyme terminal, several-flowered, diffuse. 
Sepals lanceolate, acuminate, 3-5-nerved. Seeds rough. 

In open dry places. April-May. Common. 


FAMILY 23. CARYOPH YLL ACEiE. Pink Family. 

Annal or perennial herbs, often swollen at the nodes, 
with opposite, entire leaves, and perfect, regular flowers, 
the sap watery. Sepals 4 or 5, united into a tube or cup. 
Petals equal in number to the sepals (rarely 0). Sta¬ 
mens twice as many as the sepals, perigynous. Ovary 1, 
stipitate, mainly 1-celled. Styles 2-5. Ovules and seeds 
several or many. Fruit a capsule. 

I. SILENE L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Calyx more or less in¬ 
flated, tubular, ovoid, or campanulate, 5-toothed, 10- 
nerved, bractless. Petals 5, clawed. Stamens 10. Styles 
3. Ovary 1-celled or 3-celled at the base, opening by 6 
teeth, many seeded. Seeds usually roughened. 

1. Silene antirrhma L. Sleepy Oatchfly. Annual, erect, pub- 
erulent or glabrous, glutinous about the nodes, 8'-30' high. Basal 
and lower leaves spatulate or obianceolate, l'-2' long. Upper 
leaves linear and gradually reduced to subulate bracts. Inflorescence 
a loose, cymose panicle. Corolla pink, about l"-2" broad. Calyx 
narrowly ovoid, much expanded by the ripening pod, its teeth ovate, 
acute. Petals obcordate, minutely crowned. 

In waste places and woods. Common. May-July. 


FAMILY 24. ANNONACE/E. Custard-Apple Family. 
Trees or shrubs with alternate, entire, pinnately-veined 


44 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


leaves. Stipules none. Sepals 3. Petals about 6, arranged 
in 2 series. Stamens many. Anthers adnate, extrorse. 
Carpels many. 


I. ASIMINA Adans. 

Small trees, or shrubs, with alternate leaves and lateral 
or axillary nodding flowers. Buds naked. Sepals 3, ovate. 
Petals 6, arranged in 2 series, those of the outer series larg¬ 
er when mature. Stamens and carpels 3-15. Fruit large, 
fleshy, oblong berries. 

1. Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal: North American Papaw. A 
tall shrub or tree. Leaves obovate, acute, cuneate or rounded at 
the base. Flowers axillary, on shoots of the preceding year, appear¬ 
ing with the leaves, dark purple. Sepals ovate, densely dark-pubes¬ 
cent. Fruit 3'-7' long, l'-2' thick, sweet and edible, and brown when 
ripe. 

Along streams, eastern part of state. March-April. 


FAMILY 25. RANUNCULACEiE. Crowfoot Family. 

Herbs, annual or perennial, with acrid sap. Leaves 
basal or alternate (except in Clematis). Stipules none 
or adnate to the petiole. Floral organs all distinct and 
unconnected. Sepals 5 or more, falling early, often petal¬ 
like. Petals none, or 5 or more. Stamens many. Carpels 
many, 1-celled. Stigmas simple. Ovules 1 or more. 
Fruit 1-seeded achenes or many-seeded follicles. Seeds 
small. 

Carpels several-ovuled; fruit a follicle or berry; sepals 
imbricated in the bud. 

Flowers regular; leaves palmately nerved or palm- 
ately compound. • I. Hydrastis. 

Flowers irregular. II. Delphinium. 

Carpels 1-ovuled; fruit an achene. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


45 


Flowers subtended by involucres remote from the 
calyx or close to it. III. Anemone. 

Flowers not subtended by involucres. 

Small annual herbs; leaves basal linear; sepals 
spurred. IV. Myosurus. 

Low or tall herbs, mostly with both basal and stem 
leaves; sepals spurless. V. Ranunculus. 

Climbing vines. VI. Viorna. 

I. HYDRASTIS. Ellis. 

Erect, perennial, pubescent herbs, with palmately- 
lobed reniform leaves, and small, solitary, greenish-white 
flowers. Sepals 3, petaloid. Petals none. Stamens nu¬ 
merous. Carpels many, each bearing 2 ovules near the 
middle, and in fruit forming a head of 1-2-seeded crim¬ 
son berries, somewhat resembling a raspberry. Stigma 
fiat. 

1. Hydrastis canadensis L. Orange-root. Golden Seal. Per¬ 
ennial from a thick, yellow rootstock. Basal leaf long-petioled, 5'-8' 
broad, palmately 5-9-lobed, sharply and unequally serrate. Cauline 
leaves 2, borne at the summit of the stem, the upper one subtending 
the green ish-white flower. Head of fruit ovoid, blunt, the fleshy 
carpels tipped with a short curved beak. 

In woods. April. 

II. DELPHINIUM L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Stem erect, simple or 
branched. Leaves alternate, petioled, palmately divided. 
Flowers in terminal racemes or panicles, showy. Sepals 
5, colored, irregular, the upper one prolonged into a spur. 
Petals 4, unequal, the 2 upper ones with long spurs which 
are enclosed in the spur of the upper sepal, the other 2 
short-stalked. Pistils 1-5; ovaries many-seeded. 

Flowers bright blue; bractlets close to the calyx. 

1. D. carolinianum. 

Flowers bluish-white; bractlets distant from the calyx, 

2. D. virescens. 


46 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Delphinium carolinianum Walt. Carolina Larkspur. Stem 
slender, more or less pubescent. Leaves deeply cleft into linear, 
toothed or cleft segments. Raceme terminal, 4'-8' long. Flowers 
pedicelled, blue, the spur curved upward, horizontal or nearly erect. 
Follicles 3, erect or slightly spreading, downy, tipped with a subulate 
beak. Seed coat rugose. 

Prairies and open grounds. May-July. 

2. Delphinium virescens Nutt. Perennial, with branched, woody 
roots, pubescent and often glandular. Leaf-segments linear, l"-3" 
wide. Raceme narrow, rather densely flowered. Flowers white, or 
bluish-white, finely pubescent. Spur horizontal or ascending, 6"-8" 
long, straight, or slightly curved upward. Follicles 6"-9" long, erect, 
puberulent. 

Prairies. May-July. Common. 

III. ANEMONE L. 

Erect, perennial herbs. Basal leaves lobed, divided or 
dissected, those of the stem forming an involucre near to or 
remote from the peduncled flowers. Sepals 4-20, petaloid. 
Petals none. Stamens many, shorter than the sepals. Car¬ 
pels many. Achenes compressed, l-seeded. 

Involucre mostly above the middle of the scape; tips of 
the achene projecting beyond the wool. 

1. A. decapetala. 

Involucre mostly below the middle of the scape; tips of 
the achene projecting beynod the wool. 

2. A. caroliniana. 

1. Anemone decapetala Ard. Foliage finely pubescent. Root 
tuberous, oblong. Leaves few, blades 3-divided, the segments ovate 
or ovate-oblong, crenate or crenate-cleft. Scape erect, simple. Bracts 
of the involucre very different from the leaf-blades, nearlty sessile, 
once or twice palmately cleft, the segments linear, mostly entire. 
Sepals 10-20, pink or greenish white. Head of fruit cylindric. 
Achenes completely buried in the wool. 

On plains and prairies. April-July. Arbuckle Mountains. 

2. Anemone caroliniana Walt. Carolina Anemone. Sparsely 
hairy, 4'-10' high, arising from a tuber. Basal leaves slender-peti- 
oled, 3-divided, the divisions variously toothed, lobed and parted, 
those of the involucre sessile and 3-cleft. Flower erect, 9"-18" broad. 
Sepals 6-20, linear-oblong, purple, varying to white. Head of fruit 
oblong. Achenes densely woolly. 

Prairies. April-May. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


47 


IV. MYOSURUS L. 

Small, annual herbs, with fibrous roots, tufted, basal, 
linear or linear-spatulate, entire leaves and 1-flowered 
scape. Sepals 5, long spurred at the base. Petals the same 
number or none, when present greenish-yellow. Stamens 
5-25, about equaling the sepals. Pistils numerous, borne 
on a central axis. Ovule one, suspended. Achenes apiculate 
or aristate. 

1. Myosurus minimus L. Mouse-tail. Low, glabrous, F-6' 
high, the scape at length surpassing the leaves and the elongated 
receptacle attaining the length of l'-2\ Leaves all basal, 2'-4' long. 
Narrowly spatulate to linear, blunt. Petals present, small. Achenes 
glabrous, apiculate. 

In moist places. April-July. Common. 


V. RANUNCULUS (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, usually 
deeply-lobed or parted. Flowers axillary or in corymbs, 
white or yellow. Sepals 3-5. Petals 3-5, flat, with a small 
pit or scale inside at the narrowed base. Stamens usual¬ 
ly numerous. Pistils few or several in a head. Achenes 
flattened, pointed. 

1. Ranunculus sceleratus L. Celery-leaved Crowfoot. Stout, 
glabrous or nearly so, 6'-24' high, freely branching, stem hollow, 
sometimes lt4' thick. Basal leaves thick, 3-5-lobed, on long and 
broad petioles, the blade P-2' broad, reniform or cordate, those of 
the stem petioled or the upper sessile, deeply lobed or divided. Flow¬ 
ers yellow, numerous 3"-4" broad, the petals about equaling the calyx. 
Head of the fruit oblong or cylindric. 

In moist soil. April-August. Oklahoma County. 


VI. VIORNA Reichb. 

Vines or erect perennial herbs, with opposite, pinnately- 
compound or simple leaves. Flowers mostly solitary. Sep¬ 
als 4 or 5, petal-like, erect or converging. Petals none. 
Stamens numerous, parallel with the sepals. Pistils num¬ 
erous. Styles plumose or silky. Achenes flattish, the long 
styles persistent. 

1. Viorna Pitcher! (T. & G.) Britton. PiTcHEr’S Leather- 


48 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


flower. A high climbing vine, the branches more or less pubescent* 
Leaves pinnate. Leaflets entire, lobed or trifoliolate, thick, reticul¬ 
ate, generally mucronate. Flowers solitary. Calyx campanulate, 
purplish pubescent. Sepals with recurved margined tips. 

Rich soil. May-August. Oklahoma to McCurtain counties. 

FAMILY 26. PAPAVERACE^E. Poppy Family. 

Annual or perennial herbs, often with milky juice. 
Leaves usually alternate without stipules. Flowers per¬ 
fect, regular. Sepals usually 2, shed as the flower opens. 
Petals 4-12, falling early. Stamens many. Carpels 2-16. 
Fruit a capsule. 


I. ARGEMONE L. 

Glaucous herbs, with yellow sap, spiny-toothed leaves 
and large showy flowers. Sepals 2 or 3. Petals 4-6. Sta¬ 
mens many. Style very short or none. Stigma dilated, 
3-6-radiate. Capsule prickly, oblong. Seeds numerous, 
cancellate. 

Flowers distinctly peduncled; spines of the sepal-tips 
nearly erect. 1. A. alba. 

Flowers sessile or nearly so; spines of the sepal-tips 
spreading. 2. A. intermedia. 

1. Argemone alba Leatib. White Prickly poppy. Leaves pin- 
natifid or pinnately lobed, glaucous or green, not blotched, but some¬ 
times whitish along the veins. Flowers white, 3'-4' broad, distinctly 
peduncled. Petals rounded. Spines of the sepal-tips stout. Capsule 
1'-!%' long. 

Dry prairies or plains. Common. May-August. 

2. Argemono intermedia Sweet. Leafv white Prickly Poppy. 
Stem stout, prickly, glabrous and glaucous. Leaves lobed or pinnat- 
ifid, very prickly, usually whitish-blotched. Flowers large, white, 
sessile or nearly so, 3'-4' wide. Petals rounded. Spines of the sepal- 
tips spreading. Capsule oblong, prickly, about V long. 

Prairies and plains. May-August* 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


49 


FAMILY 27. FUMARIACEiE. Fumewort Family. 

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs, with watery sap, 
dissected, alternate or basal leaves without stipules, and 
perfect, irregular flowers variously clustered. Sepals 2, 
scale-like. Petals 4, somewhat united, the 2 outer ones 
spreading above, one or both saccate or spurred at the 
base, the 2 inner smaller, narrower, thickened at the tips 
and united over the stigma. Stamens 6, diadelphous, 
hypogynous, in 2 sets of 3. Carpels 2, united into a 
single pistil, the ovary 1-celled. Stigma 2-lobed. Fruit 
a 2-valved, several-seeded capsule, or 1-seeded and inde- 
hiscent. 


I. CAPNOIDES (Tourn.) Adans. 

Erect or climbing herbs, with basal and cauline de¬ 
compound leaves, and racemose flowers, terminal, or op¬ 
posite the petioles. Sepals 2, small. Corolla irregular. 
Petals 4, erect-connivent, one of the outer pairs spurred 
at the base, the interior ones narrow, keeled on the back. 
Stamens 6, in 2 sets, opposite the outer petals. Capsule 
linear or oblong, 2-valved. 

Flowers 3"-4" long; spur short. 1. C. Micranthum. 

Flowers 6"-8" long; spur conspicuous. 

Pods smooth. 2. C. Campestre. 

Pods densely covered with transparent vesicles. 

3. C. crystallinum. 

1. Capnoides micranthum (Engelm.) Britton. Small-flowered 
Corydalis. Lower leaves slender-petioled, the upper nearly sessile, 
all finely dissected into linear or oblong, sometimes cuneate, acute or 
obtuse segments. Pods ascending, short pedicelled, torulose. Seeds 
obtuse-margined, smooth, shining. 

In woods. February-April. 

2. Capnoides campestre Britton. Plains Corydalis. Flowers 
spicate, racemose, about 8" long, conspicuous, bright yellow. Spur of 
the corolla blunt, nearly straight, 2"-2y 2 " long. Pods curved up¬ 
ward, very short-pedicelled, stout, somewhat 4-sided. Seeds sharp- 


50 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


margined, finely and distinctly reticulated. In fields and woods and 
sandy soil. April-June. 

3. Capnoides cryatallinum (Engelm.) Kuntze. Vesicular Cory- 
dalis. Erect or ascending, glabrous, l'-20' high, branching. Lower 
leaves slender-petioled, the upper sessile, all finely dissected into ob¬ 
long, or cuneate segments. Pedicels stout, short, diverging. Flowers 
spicate, 6"-8" long, bright yellow. Spur 3"-4" long. Crest large, 
dentate. Capsule 9" long, ascending or erect, densely covered with 
transparent vesicles. Seeds acute-margined, tuberculate-reticulate. 

Prairies. April-June. 

FAMILY 28. CRUCIFERiE. Mustard Family. 

Herbs with pungent, watery juice, and alternate leaves 
without stipules. Sepals 4, often falling off early. Petals 
usually 4, arranged in form of a cross. Stamens 6, the 
2 outer ones shorter than the 2 inner ones. Fruit a pod, 
divided into 2 cells by a thin partition. 

Key to Genera of Cruciferae. 

1. Pods globose to linear, not greatly elongated nor 
very broad and flat. 

Pubescence stellate, or of forked hairs. 

Pubescence stellate, or the hairs 2-lobed. 

Pods orbicular to linear, more or less flattened 
parallel to the broad partition. I. Draba. 

Pods globose or di-dynamo'us, swollen. 

II. Lesquerella. 

Pubescence of forked hairs; pods little longer than 

wide. 

Pods obovoid, swollen; flowers yellow. 

III. Camelina. 

Pods not swollen, flattened at right angles to 
the partition; flowers white. IV. Bursa. 
Pubescence of simple hairs, or wanting. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


51 


Pods globose to oblong, scarcely or not at all flat¬ 
tened. 

Flowers yellow, small. V. Radicula. 

Flowers white, large. VI. Sisymbrium. 

Pods short, strongly flattened at right angles to the 
narrow partition; flowers white or purplish. 

Seeds solitary in each cell of the pod. 

VII. Lepidium. 

Seeds 2-several in each cell of the winged pod. 

VIII. Thlaspi. 

2. Pods elongated-linear, or large. 

Cotyledons incumbent. 

Stigma simple, not 2-lobed. IX. Sophia. 

Stigma 2-lobed, the lobes over the placentae. 
Leaves various, not cordate-clasping. 

Pods 4-angled; hairs of the stem 2-forked with 
appressed branches. X. Cheirinia. 

Pods terete; pubescence, if present of simple 
hairs. XI. Norta. 

Leaves cordate-clasping, sessile, entire. 

XII. Conringia. 

Cotyledons accumbent. XIII. Arabis. 

I. DRAB A (Dill.) L. 

Low, tufted, mostly stellate-pubescent herbs, with 
scapose or leafy stems, simple leaves and mainly race¬ 
mose flowers. Flowers white or yellow. Pods elliptic, 
oblong, or linear, flattened parallel with the partition. 
Seeds several in 2 rows in each cell. 

Flowers white. 

Leaves entire, obovate or oblong. 1. D. caroliniana. 
Leaves dentate, cuneate. 2. D. cuneifolia. 

Flowers yellow. 3. D. brachycarpu. 


* 


52 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Draba caroliniana Walt. Carolina Whitlow-grass. Winter 
annual. Flowers white. Petals entire. Pods linear, longer than the 
ascending pedicels. Flowering stems l'-5' high. Leaves obovate and 
entire, clustered at the base, or only a short distance up the stem, 
beset with stellate pubescence. 

In sandy fields. March-June. Common. 

2. Draba cuneifolia Nutt. Wedge-leaved Whitlow-grass. Flow¬ 
ers white. Petals emarginate. Pods oblong-linear, minutely hairy, 
longer than the horizontal pedicels. Flowering stems 4'-8' high, 
branching and leafy below. Leaves obovate, cuneate, or the lowest 
spatulate, dentate toward the summit. 

In fields. February-April. Common. 

3. Draba brachycarpa Nutt. Short-fruited Whitlow-grass. 
Flowers yellow. The oblong pods l"-2" long. Basal leaves 4"-6" 
long, ovate or obovate, stem leaves oblong and entire. 

Dry hills and fields. March-May. Common. 

II. LESQUERELLA S. Wats. 

Low, annual or perennial herbs, with stellate pubescence, 
simple leaves, and racemose, mainly yellow, flowers. Petals 
entire. Pod generally inflated, globose or oblong. Valves 
nerveless. Seeds few or several, in 2 rows, flat. Cotyle¬ 
dons accumbent. 

Annual. 

Filaments more or less dilated below; foliage hispidly 
stellate. 1. L. densiflora. 

Filaments very slender or linear-subulate; foliage 
compactly canescent or scaly-stellate. 

2. L. gracilis. 

Perennial. 3. L. ovalifolia. 

1. Lesquerella densiflora (A. Gray) S. Watts. Densely canes¬ 
cent annual. Stem branched at base, 4'-12' long. Leaf blades spatu¬ 
late to lanceolate or oblong, entire or repand, the lower with petioles, 
the upper sessile. Corymbs rather densely flowered. Pedicels 3"-5" 
long, ascending. Petals broadly spatulate, 4"-5" long. Filaments 
slightly dilated for 1-3 their length. Pods sub-globose, 2" in diameter, 
glabrous. 

In dry soil. May-June. Southern. 

2. Lesquerella gracilis (Hook.) S. Watts. Slender Bladder-pod. 
Slender, sparingly stellate-pubescent annual, much branched, 10'-24' 
tall. Leaves linear or oblanceolate, the lower slightly petioled, the 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


53 


upper sessile, their margins often undulate. Flowers yellow. Pod 
globose, glabrous, 2" in diameter. Seeds several in each cell. 

Prairies. March-May. 

3. Lesquerella ovalifolia Rydb. Oval-leaved Bladder-pod. Per¬ 
ennial from a tufted caudex, pale, densely stellate-canescent. Basal 
leaves tufted, broadly oval to obovate, sometimes nearly orbicular, 
entire, obtuse or sub-acute, narrowed into rather long petioles. Stem- 
leaves distant, sessile, or the lowest short-petioled, linear-oblance- 
olate or narrowly-spatulate. Pods very short-stipitate, sub-globose, 
obtuse, glabrous. 

In dry soil. April-June. Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains. 

III. CAMELINA Grants. 

Erect, anual herbs, with entire, toothed or pinnatifid 
leaves, and small, yellowish flowers. Silicles obovoid or 
pear-shaped, slightiy flattened. Valves convex, 1 nerved. 
Seeds several or numerous in each cell. Stigma entire. 
Style slender. 

1. Chmelina microcarpa Andrz. Small-fruited False-flax. 
Stem pubescent, simple or with few elongated branches. Leaves 
lanceolate, sessile, auricled, or the lower narrowed at the base. 
Fruiting racemes much elongated. Pods flattened 2"-3" long, strong¬ 
ly margined. 

In waste places. May-July. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. 

IV. BURSA (Siegsb.) Weber. 

Annual or winter annual herbs, pubescent with forked 
hairs. Pod obcordate-triangular, flattened contrary to the 
partition. The turgid valves 1-nerved. Seeds several, 
shorter than the spreading pedicels. Petals small, white. 

1. Bursa Bursa-pastoris (L.) Britton. Shepherd’s-purse. Root 
long and straight. Stem branching above, downy below, smooth 
above. Lower leaves forming a rosette at the base of the stem, 
irregularly lobed or pinnately cut. Stem leaves lanceolate, clasping, 
toothed or entire. Sepals downy, about one-half as long as the 
petals. Pod triangular, notched, or cordate at the apex. 

In fields and waste places. Very common. January-December. 

V. RADICULA Hill. 

Herbs, with simple or pinnate-lobed dissected or entire 
leaves, and small, yellow flowers. Sepals spreading. Sta* 


54 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


mens 1-6. Pods short, terete or nearly so. Valves nerve¬ 
less or 1-nerved. Style short or slender. Stigma 2-lobed 
or nearly entire. Seeds in 2 rows in each cell or sometimes 
in 1 row. 

1. Radicula obtusa (Nutt.) Greene. Blunt-leaved Yellow- 
cress. Annual or biennial, diffuse, the branches ascending or erect. 
Leaves oblong or oblanceolate, pinnately-divided, or pinnatifid, the 
lobes obtuse, repand-toothed, or sometimes entire. Pedicels l"-2" 
long. Flowers yellow, 1" broad or less. Pods narrowly oblong, or 
linear, 3"-5" long, ascending. 

In low ground. April-August. Oklahoma County. 

VI. SISYMBRIUM (Tourn.) L. 

Aquatic herbs with pinnately-divided leaves, and small 
white flowers in terminal racemes. Pods linear to linear- 
oblong, slender pedicelled, tipped with a rather stout style, 
the valves nerveless. Seeds in two rows in each cell of the 
pod. 

1. Sisymbrium Nasturtium-aquaticum L. True Water-cress. 
Glabrous, branching, floating or creeping, rooting from the nodes. 
Leaves of 3-9 segments, all obtuse, ovate or oval or the terminal one 
nearly orbicular. Flowers in racemes. Petals twice the length of 
the calyx. Pods 6"-16" long, 1" wide, spreading and slightly curved 
upward, on pedicels of about their length. 

In brooks and streams. April-November, Wichita and Arbuckle 
Mountains and Cleveland County. 

VII. LEPIDIUM. (Tourn.) L. 

Erect, diffuse, glabrous or pubescent herbs. Leaves en¬ 
tire, toothed or pinnately divided. Flowers in terminal 
racemes, small, white. Petals short, sometimes wanting. 
Stamens 2, 4 or 6. Pod rounded or obcordate, flattened 
contrary to the partition. 

Stem-leaves clasping by an auriculate base. 

1. L. Draba. 


Stem-leaves petioled or sessile, not clasping. 

Pods slightly winged above, orbicular or oval, about 1" 
broad; petals present or none. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


55 


Cotyledons accumbent; petals generally present. 

2. L. virginicum. 

Cotyledons incumbent; petals minute or wanting. 

3. L. densiflorum. 

Pods oblong, winged all round, longer than wide, about 
2" high. 4. L. sativum. 

1. Lepidium Draba L. Hoary Cress. Perennial, hoary-pubes¬ 
cent, branched at the inflorescence. Leaves oblong or lanceolate- 
oblong, obtuse, slightly dentate or entire, the lower petioled, the up¬ 
per sessile and clasping. Flowers white, l"-2" broad. Pods very 
broadly ovate, or cordate, arranged in short corymbose racemes. 

Waste places. April-June, Oklahoma County. 

2. Lepidium virginicum L. Wild Pepper-grass. Basal leaves 
obovate or spatulate in outline, generally with a large terminal lobe 
and numerous, small, lateral ones, all dentate, glabrous or slightly 
pubescent. Stem-leaves lanceolate or oblong-linear, sharply dentate 
or entire, sessile, or the lower stalked. Flowers white, Stamens 2. 
Pods flat, short-oval or orbicular, minutely winged above. 

In fields and along roadsides. May-November. 

3. Lipidium densiflorum Schrad. Wild Pepper-grass. Basal 
leaves pinnately-lobed or pinnatifid. Pods obovate-orbicular to ovate, 
slightly wing-margined above. 

In dry soil. May-August. Common. 

4. Lepidium sativum L. Garden Pepper-grass. Annual, glabrous, 
usually much branched. Lower leaves 2,-pinnate, or pinnate with the 
segments lobed, or pinnatifid, the lobes entire or incised. Stamens G. 
Silicles ovate-oval, emarginate, winged all round. 

In waste places. May to August. Common. 

VIII. THLASPI (Tourn) L. 

Erect, glabrous, annual or perennial herbs, with entire 
or dentate leaves, the basal ones forming a rosette, those 
of the stem or at least the upper ones, auriculate or clasp¬ 
ing. Flowers white or purplish. Pod obcuneate, obcordate 
or oblong-orbicular, flattened at right angles to the narrow 
partition, crested or winged. Valves dehiscent. Seeds 2 
or several in each cell, wingless. 

1. Thlaspi arvenis© L. Field Penny-cress. Annual, glabrous, 
simple or branching above. Basal leaves petioled, oblanceolate, early 
deciduous. Stem-leaves oblong or lanceolate, sparingly dentate, the 
upper clasping by an auricled base, the lower merely sessile. Flowers 


56 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


white. Pods nearly orbicular when ripe, very flat, broadly winged 
all around, notched at the apex. Seeds rugose. 

In waste places. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

IX. SOPHIA Adans. 

Annual or perennial herbs, pubescent with short forked 
hairs, with slender, branching stems, 2-pinnatifid or finely 
dissected leaves, and small, yellow flowers in terminal 
racemes, the racemes much elongated in fruit. Calyx early 
deciduous. Style short. Stigma simple. Pods linear or 
linear-oblong, slender pedicelled, the valves 1-nerved. Seeds 
small, in 1 or 2 rows in each cell. 

Pedicels diverging nearly at right angles. 

1. S. pinnata. 

Pedicels ascending. 2. S. incisa. 

1. Sophia pinnata. (Walt) Howell. Tansy-mustard. Densely 
canescent to glabrate. Leaves oblong in outline, 2-pinnatifid into 
very numerous, small, toothed or entire obtuse segments. Pedicels 
spreading nearly or quite at right angles to the axis. Pods horizontal 
or ascending, oblong or linear-oblong, compressed, glabrous or some¬ 
what canescent. 

In dry soil. May-July. Common. 

2. Sophia inicisa (Engelm.) Greene. Western Tansy-mustard. 
Resembles the preceding species, but is greener, nearly glabrous, or 
the pubescence is mixed with short, glandular hairs. Leaves pin- 
nately divided, and the pinnre 1-2-pinnatifid into linear-oblong entire 
or toothed segments. Fruiting pedicels widely ascending. Pods some¬ 
what swollen, erect or ascending. 

In dry soil. May-August. Common. 

X. CHEIRINIA Link. 

Annual, biennial or perennial, erect and branching herbs, 
pubescent or hoary, with 2-branched hairs, leaves simple, 
entire, toothed or lobed. Flowers yellow. Pods elongated, 
linear, 4-angled. Valves keeled by a prominent midvein. 
Stigma lobed. Seeds in 1 row in each cell. 

1. Cheirinia asper (DO.) Britton. Yellow Flox. Rough, pu¬ 
bescent, or hoary, simple or branching above, lower leaves lanceo¬ 
late or linear, tapering into a petiole, dentate or sometimes entire, 
mainly acute. Upper leaves smaller, sessile or nearly so, entire or 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


57 


rarely toothed. Flowers orange-yellow. Pods linear, rough, 1%'-4' 
long. Seeds orbicular, wing margined. 

In open places. May-July. Wichita and Arbuclde Mountains. 

XI. NORTA Adans. 

Biennial herbs, with alternate, pinnatifid or dentate 
leaves and medium-sized yellow flowers. Pubescence when 
present, of simple hairs. Seeds spreading. Pods narrowly 
linear, much elongated, terete. Stigma 2slobed. Seeds 
in 1 or 2 rows in each cell. 

1. Norta altissima (L) Britton. Tall Sisymbrium. Erect, 
freely branching, glabrous or nearly so. Lowest leaves runcinate- 
pinnatifid, petioled, the lobes lanceolate, often auriculate. Upper 
leaves smaller, very deeply pinnatifid, the lobes linear or lanceolate, 
dentate or entire, often with a narrow projection on the lower side 
near the base. Flowers yellowish. Pods very narrowly linear, stiff, 
divergent, 2'-4' long. Valves with a prominent midrib. 

In waste places. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

XII. CONRINGIA (Heist.) Adans. 

Erect, glabrous, annual herbs, with elliptic or ovate en¬ 
tire leaves, sessile and cordate, or the lower narrowed at 
the base, and medium-sized, yellowish flowers in terminal 
racemes. Sepals and petals narrow. Style 2-lobed or en 
tire. Pods elongated-linear, 4-angled. Seeds in 1 row in 
each cell. Cotyledons incumbent. 

1. Oonringia orilemtalis (L) Dumort. Hare’s Ear Mustard. 
Stem usually erect, simple, or somewhat branched. Leaves light 
green, obtuse at the apex, the upper smaller. Pedicels slender, as¬ 
cending, 4"-8" long. Pods 3'-5' long, about V wide, 4-angled, spread¬ 
ing. 

In waste places. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

XIII. ARABIS L. 

Annual or perennial herbs, smooth, or with forked or 
stellate hairs. Basal leaves spatulate, stem leaves sessile. 
Flowers usually white. Petals entire, usually with claws. 
Pods linear, flattened. 

1. Arabis virginica (L.) Trelease. Virginia Rock-cress. An¬ 
nual or biennial, diffuse, glabrate, the stems ascending. Leaves ob- 


58 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


long, narrow, deeply pinnatifid, lower petioled, the upper nearly 
sessile. Flowers very small, white. Pod linear, ascending, 8"-12" 
long. Seeds orbicular, wing margined. 

In open places. March-May. 


FAMILY 29. CRASSULACEJE. Orpine Family. 

Herbs, mostly fleshy or succulent, with cymose or rare¬ 
ly solitary or symmetrical flowers. Stipules none. Calyx 
persistent, free from the ovary or ovaries, 4-5-lobed. 
Petals equal in number to the calyx lobes, distinct, 
or more or less united. Stamens of the same number or 
twice as many as the petals. Receptacle with a scale 
at the base of each carpel. Carpels of the same number 
as the sepals, distinct or united below. Ovules numer¬ 
ous. Follicles membranous, 1-celled. 

I. SEDUM (Tourn.) L. 

Fleshy, mostly glabrous herbs, erect or decumbent, with 
alternate, entire leaves and perfect flowers in terminal 
cymes. Calyx 4-5-lobed. Petals 4-5, distinct. Stamens 
8-10. Carpels 4-5, distinct. Follicles few-seeded or many- 
seeded. 

Petals yellow. 1. S. Nuttallianum. 

Petals purple or white. 2. S. pulchellum. 

1. Sedum Nuttallianum Raf. Nuttall’s Stonecrop. Annual, 
low tufted, glabrous, 2'-3' high. Leaves alternate, scattered, linear- 
oblong, teretish, sessile, entire. Cyme 2-5-forked. Flowers sessile 
or very short-pedicelled. Petals yellow, lanceolate, acute. Follicles 
widely divergent, tipped with the short subulate style. 

In dry, open places. May. Wichita and Arbuckle Mountains. 

2. Sedum pulchellum Michx. Rock-moss, Annual, glabrous, as¬ 
cending or trailing, branched at the base. Leaves densely crowded, 
terete or linear, sessile, obtuse at the apex, slightly auriculate at the 
base. Cyme 4-7-forked, its branches spreading or re-curved in flower. 
Flowers sessile. Petals rose-purple, pink, or white, linear-lanceo¬ 
late, acute. 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


59 


On rocks or rocky soil. May-July. Wichita and Arbuckle 
Mountains. 


FAMILY 30. HYDRANGEACEiE. Hydrangea Family. 

Shrubs, trees or vines, with simple, opposite leaves 
and no stipules. Flowers perfect or the exterior ones of 
the cluster sterile. Petals and sepals 5. Stamens twice 
as many as the sepals, or numerous, epigynous. Carpels 
2-10, united or the apex free, the lower half adnate to 
the calyx. Seeds numerous. 

I. PHILADELPHUS L. 

Shrubs. Leaves simple, opposite, 3-5-ribbed, petioled, 
without stipules. Flowers solitary or in cymes, large, 
white. Calyx tube top-shaped, the epigynous limb 4-5- 
parted persistent. Petals 4-5, rounded or obovate. Sta¬ 
mens 20-40, shorter than the petals. Ovary 3-5 celled, 
many-seeded. Styles 3-5, more or less united. 

1. Philadelphus coronarius L. Mock Orange. A shrub. Leaves 
short-petioled, oval, elliptic or ovate-elliptic, glabrous above, pubes¬ 
cent beneath, acute or acuminate at the apex, rounded or narrowed 
at the base, denticulate with distant teeth 3-nerved. 

A cultivated shrub. May-June. 

FAMILY 31. ALTINGIACEiE. Altingia Family., 

Forest trees producing a balsamic resin, with furrowed 
bark, and terete or sometimes corky-winged branchlets. 
Leaves alternate, glandular-serrate, palmately lobed; 
stipules mostly deciduous. Flowers usually monoecious, 
sometimes perfect, in heads. Perianth wanting. Heads 
of staminate flowers in terminal racemes or panicles. 
Pistillate flowers in solitary, long-peduncled, axillary 
heads. Fruit a hard, dry, multi-capsular head, some¬ 
times armed with stout, persistent stigmas. 


60 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


I. LIQUIDAMBAR L. 

Large trees wth resinous sap, simple, alternate-lobed, 
petioled leaves, and small monoecious flowers in heads, the 
staminate clusters racemose, the pistillate ones usually soli¬ 
tary. Calyx and corolla of the staminate flowers none. 
Stamens numerous. Filaments short. Calices of pistillate 
flowers grown into one. Petals none. 

1. Liquidambar StyracMua L. Sweet Gum. A large forest 
tree. Bark very rough, branches usually winged with corky ridges. 
Leaves broader than long, subcordate at the base, deeply 3-7-lobed, 
glabrous above, often pubescent in the axils of the veins beneath, 
the lobes triangular-ovate, acute, sharply and finely serrate. 

Along streams in eastern part of state. April-May. 


FAMILY 32. GROSSULARIACEiE. Gooseberry Family. 

Erect or spreading shrubs, often with bristly or spiny 
stems. Leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, broadly ovate 
to rotund, usually palmately veined, more or less lobed 
and toothed; inflorescence terminal on short, lateral, 
sometimes leafless branches, racemose, or the raceme 
reduced to a single flower. Flowers regular, perfect. 
Calyx-tube elongated, short or obsolete. Sepals, petals, 
and stamens 5, alternate. Ovary 1-celled. Fruit a berry. 

I. RIBES L. 

Unarmed shrubs with palmately veined, mostly lobed 
leaves. Flowers in several-flowered racemes. Pedicels 
jointed beneath the ovary. Ovary not spiny, sometimes 
glandular. Calyx-tube tubular to campanulate, sometimes 
obsolete. Fruit breaking from the pedicel. 

1. Ribes odoratum Wendl. Missouri Currant. Unarmed. Pet¬ 
ioles rather slender, pubescent. Leaves 3-lobed or sometimes 5- 
lobed, broadly cuneate or truncate at the base, the lobes obtuse, few¬ 
toothed or entire. The racemes leafy-bracted, few flowered, villous. 
Flowers bright yellow, spicy-scented. Fruit black, glabrous. 

In rich, moist soil and rocky soil. April-May. Oklahoma, Co¬ 
manche and Murray counties. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


61 


FAMILY 33. PLATANACEiE. Plane Tree Family. 

Trees with simple, alternate, petioled leaves, with stip¬ 
ules. The bases of the petioles covering the buds. Flow¬ 
ers monoecious, in axillary, long peduncled, globose. 
Calyx and corolla very inconspicuous, each consisting of 
3-8 minute scales, or wanting. Stamens as many a 3 the 
sepals and opposite them. Pistils several, conversely 
conical, hairy at the base. Styles long. Capsule 1-seeded. 

I. PLATANUS L. 

Characters of the family. 

1. Platanus occidentals L. Sycamore. Button-wood. A large 
tree, bark light-colored, smooth, peeling off in large, thin plates. 
Leaves large, round-heart-shaped, angularly lobed and toothed, dense¬ 
ly white-woolly when young, becoming smooth with age. Stipules 
large, toothed. 

River banks. Cleveland county to eastern part of state. May. 


FAMILY 34. ROSACEiE. Rose Family. 

Herbs, shrubs or trees with alternate, stipulate leaves 
and perfect flowers. Calyx 5-lobed. Petals 5, rarely 
wanting, inserted with the stamens on the edge of a disk 
that lines the calyx tube. Stamens many. Carpels 1 or 
more, distinct or united, superior or inferior. Fruit a 
pome, a drupe or group of drupes, or 1-several achenes 
or follicles, rarely a berry or capsule. 

Carpels not enclosed in the fleshy calyx-tube. 

Fruit of dry achenes; receptacle very pulpy. 

I. Fragaria. 

Fruit of fleshy or nearly dry drupelets; ovary 2-ovuled. 

II. Rubus 


62 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Carpels enclosed in the fleshy calyx-tube. 

III. Rosa. 


I. FRAG ARIA (Tourn.) L. 

Perennial scape bearing herbs propagating by runners. 
Leaves with 3 leaflets. Stipules united to the petiole. 
Flowers white. Calyx hypogynous, 5-parted, 5-bracted, 
persistent. Petals 5. Stamens many. Carpels many on 
a convex receptacle. Achenes of the ripe strawberry 
many, very small, more or less imbedded in the large, 
sweet, pulpy receptacle. 

1. Fragaria americaiia (Porter) Britton. American Wood 
Strawberry. Slender, light green, loosely villous-pubescent or glab- 
rate, usually producing runners. Leaflets ovate or oval, obtuse or 
acute at the apex, sharply incised-dentate, the terminal commonly 
cuneate, the others inequilateral at the base, pubescent with silvery- 
appressed hairs beneath. Fruit ovoid or elongated-conic, light red 
or pink. 

In rocky woods. May-June. 

II. RUBUS (Tourn.) L. 

Mostly prickly shrubs or trailing vines, with alternate, 
simple, lobed or 3-7-foliate leaves, the stipule adnate to 
the petiole. Flowers in terminal and axillary clusters, 
rarely solitary, white. Calyx hypogynous with a broad 
tube; its lobes 5, persistent. Petals 5. Stamens many. 
Carpels many, distinct on a convex receptacle. Fruit a 
cluster of little 1-seeded drupes on a dry or somewhat 
juicy receptacle. 

1. Rubus procumbent Mugl. Dewberry. Trailing, shrubby, 
armed with scattered prickles. Branches erect or ascending, more 
or less pubescent, somewhat prickly. Leaves petioled, 3-7-foliolate. 
Leaflets ovate, oval or ovate-lanceolate, acute or sometimes acutish i 
at the apex, rounded or narrowed at the base, sharply dentate-ser¬ 
rate. Peduncles leafy. Fruit black, delicious. 

In dry soil. April-May. Common. 


III. ROSA (Tourn.) L. 

Erect or climbing shrubs. Stem commonly prickly, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


63 


leaves alternate, odd-pinnate. Stipules adnate to the 
petiole. Flowers corymbose or solitary, red, pink, or white. 
Calyx tube cup-shaped or urn-shaped, constricted at 
the throat, becoming fleshy in fruit, usually 5-lobed. 
Petals 5, spreading. Stamens many, inserted around the 
inside of the mouth of the calyx tube. Ovaries many, 
hairy, ripening into bony achenes, enclosed in a rather 
fleshy calyx tube. 

Sepals persistent. 1. R. Arkansana. 

Sepals deciduous. 

Leaflets 7-11; calyx tube hispid. 2. R. foliosa. 

Leaflets 5-7; calyx tube glandular-pubescent. 

3. R. virginiana. 

1. Rosa Arkansana Porter. A branching shrub 12'-24' tall. 
Stems and branches more or less densely armed with bristle-like 
prickles. Leaflets 7-11, the blades oval, obovate or cuneate, rounded at 
the apex, simply serrate, sometimes tomentose beneath. Flowers in 
terminal corymbs. Calyx tube glaucous. Sepals lanceolate, acu¬ 
minate, glandular without, tomentose within, persistent. Corolla 
iy 2 '-2' broad. Styles distinct. Fruit sub-globose, red, glabrous. 

Prairies. Spring and summer. 

2. Rosa foliosa Nutt. A branching shrub about 3° tall. Stems 
and branches armed with straight or slightly curved prickles. Leaf¬ 
lets 7-11, the blades firm, usually acute, serrate, glabrous or nearly 
so. Flowers solitary or a few in corymbs. Calyx tube hispid. Se¬ 
pals lanceolate, acuminate, glandular-pubescent, often lobed, decid¬ 
uous. Corolla l'-iy 2 broad. Styles distinct. Fruit sub-globose, 
red, glabrous. 

On prairies. Spring and summer. 

3. Rosa virginiana Mill. Low or Pasture Rose. Bushy, 6'-0° 
high, armed with infra-stipular spines and prickles. Stipules entire. 
Leaflets 5-7, thin ovate-oval or obovate, coarsely and simply serrate, 
mostly acute at both ends. Flowers few or solitary, 2'-3' broad. 
Pedicels and calyx usually glandular. Pod glandular-hispid, about 
4" high. 

In dry soil. May-July. Common. 


FAMILY 35. AMYGDALACEiE. Peach Family. 
Trees or shrubs with alternate, petiolate, simple, most- 


64 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


ly serrate leaves. Bark, leaves and seeds bitter with 
prussic acid. Flowers perfect, corymbose, umbelled, ra- 
cemed or solitary, regular. Calyx inferior, deciduous, 
free from the ovary, its tube obconic, campanulate, or 
tubular, 5-lobed. Petals 5, inserted on the calyx. Sta¬ 
mens numerous, inserted with the petals. Fruit a drupe. 

I. PRUNUS (Tourn.) L. 

Trees or shrubs. Leaves sharply serrate. Flowers 
white, produced before the leaves. Fruit fleshy, the stone 
flattened, acute on both edges. 

Leaves abruptly acuminate; drupe red or yellow. 

1. P. americana. 

Leaves acute or obtusish; drupe red or purple. 

2. P. gracilis. 

1. Primus americania Marsh. Wild Yellow or Red plum. A 
shrub or small tree. Branches more or less thorny. Bark thick. 
Leaves ovate or obovate, acuminate, usually pubescent when young, 
sharply and often doubly serrate, with gland-tipped teeth, rounded 
at the base, slender-petioled. Flowers white, 8"-12" broad, appear¬ 
ing in lateral, sessile umbels before the leaves. Drupe globose, red 
or yellow,' 9"-12" in greatest diameter. 

In thickets. April-May. 

2. Prunus gracilis Engelm. & Gray. Low Plum. A branching 
shrub, 12'-48' high, the foliage and young twigs densely soft-pubes¬ 
cent. Leaves short-petioled, ovate-lanceolate or oval, acute or acut- 
ish at both ends, sharply serrate, glabrate on the upper surface at 
maturity. Flowers white, 3"-4" broad, in sessile lateral umbels, 
appearing before the leaves. Drupe oval-globose, 4"-5" in diameter. 

In sandy or dry soil. Spring. 


FAMILY 36. MIMOSACEiE. Mimosa Family. 

Herbs, shubs or trees, with alternate, mostly com¬ 
pound, commonly 2-3-pinnate leaves, the stipules various, 
and small, regular, mostly perfect flowers, in heads, spikes 
or racemes. Calyx 3-6-toothed, or 3-6-lobed. The corolla 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


65 


of as many distinct or more or less united petals. Sta¬ 
mens 5-10-many, distinct or united. Ovary 1-celled. 
Ovules several or numerous. Fruit a more or less flat¬ 
tened, dehiscent or indehiscent legume. 

Stamens numerous, at least more than 10. I. Acacia. 

Stamens only as many as the petals, or twice as many. 

Anthers without glandular appendages at the top. 
Petals separate; pod smooth. II. Acuan. 

Petals united to about the middle; pod spiny. 

III. Morongia. 

Anthers, at least in the bud, topped by glandular ap¬ 
pendages. 

Herbs; pods flat and thin, twice or thrice longer 
than broad. IV. Neptunia. 

Shrubs or trees; pods relatively thick, many times 
longer than broad. V. Prosopis. 

I. ACACIA L. 

Shrubs or low trees with armed or smooth stems and 
numerous very small leaflets. Flowers small, regular, in 
spikes or heads on axillary peduncles. Corolla of 4 or 5 
similar petals; petals united, separate or wanting. Sta¬ 
mens numerous, distinct, exserted. Pods flattened or 
terete, 2-valved, dehiscent. 

1. Acacia angustissima (Mill.) Kuntze. Prairie Acacia. Low, 
thornless shrub, varying from glabrous to hirsute-pubescent. Pinnae 
of the leaves 2-15 pairs, oblong in outline, l'-2' long. Leaflets 10-50 
pairs, oblong or linear-oblong, about 2" long, less than 1" wide, 
slightly inequilateral, 1-veined. Heads globose, axillary, 6"-10" in 
diameter. Filaments yellow, 3-4 times as long as the sepals. Pod 
linear, acute, often narrowed at the base, mostly straight, l'-2' long, 
about 3" wide, flat, its valves thin, impressed between the seeds. 

Prairies. May-July. Common. 

II. ACUAN Medic. 

Perennial herbs or shrubs, with bi-pinnate leaves, £.nd 


66 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


greenish or whitish regular flowers in axillary, peduncled 
heads or spikes. Flowers perfect, or the lowest some¬ 
times staminate. Calyx campanulate, its teeth short. 
Petals distinct or slightly united. Stamens 10 or 5, dis¬ 
tinct. Pod linear, straight or curved, several-seeded, 2- 
valved. 

1. Acuan illionerasis (Michx.) Kuntze. Illinois Mimosa. Stems 
erect or ascending, glabrous, angled. Leaves short-petioled, bi-pin- 
nate. Pinnae 5-15 pairs, sessile. Leaflets 10-24 pairs, sometimes 
more, sessile, obtuse. Pods numerous, densely capitate, oblong or 
lanceolate, strongly curved 8"-12" long, acute, slightly appressed be¬ 
tween the 2-5 seeds. 

Prairies and river banks. May-September. Common. 

III. MORONGIA Britton. 

Decumbent, perennial herbs or shrubs with re-curved 
prickles on leaves and stems. Leaves bi-pinnate, usually 
sensitive. Leaflets numerous, small. Flowers pink in a 
globose head. Pod linear; spiny all over, at length 4- 
valved, several-seeded. 

1. Morcngia uncinata (Willd.) Britton. Sensitive-bkier. Herb¬ 
aceous, perennial, branched, decumbent. Stem, branches, petioles, 
and peduncles armed with hooked prickles. Stem grooved and angled. 
Pinnae 4-8 pairs. Leaflets 8-15 pairs, obliquely elliptic, obtusish, and 
mucronate at the apex, inequilateral and rounded at the base, slightly 
ciliate on the margin. Head globose, very dense. Flowers pink. 
Pods terete, very densely spiny, about 2' long. 

Dry soil. May-July. Common. 


IV. NEPTUNIA Lour. 

Perennial herbs or shrubby plants, with unarmed pros¬ 
trate or diffused stems. Leaves with 2-pinnate blades. 
Leaflets small. Flowers perfect or polygamous, in head¬ 
like or cylindric spikes on solitary, axillary peduncles. 
Calyx 5 lobed. Corolla of 5 distinct or partially-united 
petals. Stamens 10, or rarely 5, exserted. Filaments dis¬ 
tinct. Ovary stipitate. Ovules several. Pod relatively 
broad, flat, oblique, 2-valved. 

1. Neptunia lutea (Leavenw.) Benth. Stems branched at the 
base, the branches prostrate, somewhat shaggy pubescent. Leaves 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


67 


with 6-10 pinnae. Leaflets 18-34, the blades crowded, oblong, apicu- 
late, ciliate. Stipules ovate-lanceolate. Pods oblong, 10"-20" long, 
flat, abruptly pointed, contracted into a rather slender stipe. 

In moist or clay soil. Spring and summer. Oklahoma and Com¬ 
anche counties. 


V. PROSOPIS L. 

A much branched shrub or tree 20° high or less, sel¬ 
dom larger, with rigid, tough stems bearing large, stip- 
ular spines. Leaves 2-pinnate, the leaflets few or nu¬ 
merous. Flowers in axillary, pedunculate heads or spikes, 
greenish-white. Calyx campanulate, with 5 short teeth. 
Petals 5, distinct or united below. Stamens 10, distinct. 
Fruit an indehiscent, slightly compressed, straight or 
falcate legume. 

1. Prosopis glandulosa Torr. Prairie Mesquite. A glabrous or 
minutely pubescent shrub, the axils usually with a pair of sharp 
spines. Leaves petioled, with two spreading short-stalked pinme, 
each of numerous sessile linear leaflets. Spike or spike-like racemes 
axillary, many-flowered. Pods linear, stipitate, 4'-8' long, 4"-6" 
wide, constricted between the seeds. 

In dry soil. April-June. Wichita Mountains. 


FAMILY 37. CiESALPINACEiE. Senna Family. 

Trees, herbs or shrubs, with alternate, simple or com¬ 
pound leaves. Flowers mostly clustered and perfect. 
Sometimes monoecious, dioecious or polygamous, nearly 
regular or irregular. Calyx of 5 sepals, or 5-toothed. 
Petals usually 5. Stamens 10 or fewer, the filaments 
distinct or more or less united. Ovary 1-celled, 1-many- 
ovuled. Fruit a legume. 

Trees or shrubs; leaves simple; corolla irregular. 

I. Cercis. 

Herbs; flowers perfect; leaves pinnate or bi-pinnate; 
corolla nearly regular. II. Hoffmanseggia. 


68 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Trees; leaves pinnate or bi-pinnate; flowers dioecious 
or polygamous. 

Receptacle short; stamens 3-5; pod flat, short or 
elongated. III. Gleditsia. 

Receptacle elongated; stamens 10; pod oblong, 
woody. IV. Gymnocladus. 


I. CERCIS L. 

Trees. Leaves simple, with stipules. Flowers in ax¬ 
illary clusters, somewhat papilionaceous. Calyx bell- 
shaped, 5-toothed. Stamens 10, distinct. Ovary short- 
stalked; ovules several. Fruit a flattened pod. 

1. Cercis canadensis L. Red-bud. A tree or often shrubby. 
Leaves simple, petioled, cordate-orbicular, blunt-pointed, glabrous, or 
pubescent along the veins beneath. Flowers several together in 
sessile, umbellate clusters, appearing before the leaves. Corolla pink- 
purple. Pod short-stalked in the calyx, linear-oblong, acute at each 
end, glabrous, 2'-3' long, G" wide. 

In rich soil. April. Common. 

II. HOFFMANSEGGIA Cav. 

Herbs, or low shrubs, with glandular-punctate bi- 
pinnate leaves, small stipules, and yellow flowers in ter¬ 
minal or lateral racemes. Calyx deeply 5-parted, the 
lobes nearly equal. Petals 5, nearly equal. Stamens 10, 
distinct, filaments often glandular at the base. Pod flat, 
linear, oblong or ovate, curved or straight, 2-valved, sev¬ 
eral seeded. 

1. HofTmanseggia falcana Cav. Sickle-fruited Hoffmanseggia. 
Herbaceous, puberulent, not black-punctate, the glands of the ped^ 
uncles and petioles stalked. Stems ascending or decumbent. Leaves 
slender-petioled, bi-pinnate. Pinnae 7-11. Leaflets 12-21. The blades 
mainly oblong, l"-3" long. Racemes few, several-flowered. Pods 
flat, linear-oblong, curved or nearly straight, l'-iy 2 ' long, about 3" 
wide, blunt, the fruiting pedicels recurved. 

On plains and prairies. Southwest part of state. April-June. 

III. GLEDITSIA L. 

Large, thorny trees. Leaves evenly once or twice pin- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


09 


nate. Flowers small, greenish, in slender, axillary 
racemes, polygamous. Calyx campanulate, 3-5-cleft. Pet¬ 
als 3-5, inserted on the summit of the calyx tube. Sta¬ 
mens 6-10, distinct. Pod flat, 1-many-seeded. 

Pods linear-oblong, elongate, many-seeded. 

1. G. triacanthos. 

Pods obliquely oval, short, 1-seeded. 2. G. aquatica. 

1. Gleditsia. triacanthos L. Honey Locust. A large tree with 
rough bark, usually armed with numerous, stout, branching, or simple 
thorns. Leaves petioled, 1-2 pinnate. Leaflets short-stalked, oblong- 
lanceolate or oval, obtuse at each end, inequilateral at the base, 
glabrous above, often pubescent on the veins beneath, crenulate. 
Flowers greenish. Pod linear-oblong, 12'-18' long, l'-l%' wide, 
stalked, glabrous and shining, twisted, pulpy within, sometimes eaten. 

In woods. May-July. North and east part of state. 

2. Gleditsia aquatica Marsh. Water or Swamp Locust. A tree, 
the thorns usually simple. Leaflets ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate in 
outline, the margins more conspicuously crenulate. Pod obliquely 
oval, flat, glabrous, narrowed at each end, slender-stalked, l'-l%' 
long, 9"-12" wide, not pulpy within. 

In swamps. May-July. Oklahoma County. 

IV. GYMNOCLADUS Lam. 

Trees with bi-pinnate leaves without stipules. Flow¬ 
ers regular, whitish, dioecious or somewhat moncecious-, 
in racemes at the ends of the branches. Calyx tube rather 
long, its 5 lobes spreading. Petals oblong, all alike, in¬ 
serted with the stamens on the throat of the calyx. Sta¬ 
mens of the fertile flowers usually not pollen-bearing. 
Pod hard, flat, partly filled with a sweet substance, slow 
in opening. Seeds several, flattish, over V 2 ' in diameter, 
very hard and shining. 

1. Gymnocladus dioica (L.) Koch. Kentucky Coffee-tree. 
A large forest tree, with rough, gray bark. Leaves large, bi-pinnate, 
petioled. Pinnae 5-9, odd or evenly pinnate. Leaflets 7-15, ovate, 
acute or acuminate at the apex, rounded at the base, glabrous, or 
pubescent on the veins beneath, ciliate on the margins. Pod 5'-10' 
long, about 15"-21" wide. 

Rich woods. May-June. Oklahoma, Woods, Custer and Cimarron 
counties. 


70 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 38. KRAMERIACEiE. Krameria Family. 

Low, herbaceous, or woody perennials, with prostrate 
or widely spreading stems and silky, pubescent leaves. 
Leaves alternate, without stipules, entire. Flowers per¬ 
fect, crimson, irregular. Calyx of 4 or 5 unequal, petaloid 
sepals, deciduous. Corolla of 4 or 5 petals shorter than 
the sepals, irregular, the posterior petal clawed, some¬ 
times adnate, the anterior thick, sessile. Stamens 3 or 4, 
the filaments united at the base. Fruit an indehiscent, 
spiny, globose 1-seeded pod. 

I. KREMARIA Loefl. 

Characters of the family. 

1. Krameria lanceolata Torr. Lineak-leaved Krameria. Per¬ 
ennial herb from a thick, woody root, the stems prostrate or as¬ 
cending. Leaves linear, linear-lanceolate or linear-oblong, sessile, 
simple, entire, about 1' long, tipped with a minute prickle. Peduncles 
axillary, solitary, 1-flowered. Fruit globose, pubescent, very spiny. 

Dry rocky soil. April-June. Common. 


FAMILY 39. FABIACE^E. Pea Family. 

Herbs, shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, usually com¬ 
pound, with stipules, the leaflets usually entire. Calyx 
of 5 sepals, more or less united, often somewhat irregu¬ 
lar. Petals 5 or fewer, irregular, the upper petal (stan¬ 
dard) larger than the others and inclosing them in the 
bud, the two lateral ones (wings) oblique, the lower two 
more or less coherent by their interior edges forming the 
keel. Stamens mostly 10, monodelpous, diadelphous, or 
distinct. Fruit a legume, 1-celled or 2-several-celled by 
cross partitions. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


71 


Key to the Genera. 

Stamens distinct. 

Leaves palmately trifoliate; pod inflated. 

II. Baptisia. 

Leaves odd-pinnate. I. Sophora. 

Stamens monodelphous or diadelphous. 

Anthers all alike; stamens monodelphous; leaves 
odd-pinnate. 

Pod 4-angled. VIII. Indigofera. 

Pod flat. IX. Cracca. 

Anthers all alike; stamens diadelphous (9 and 1); 
leaves usually pinnately compound, rarely pal¬ 
mate. 

Leaves with an even number of leaflets termim 
ated by a tendril. XV. Vicia. 

Leaves odd-pinnate, rarely palmate, without ten¬ 
drils. 

Foliage glandular-punctate. 

Pods covered with hooked prickles. 

XIV. Glycyrrhiza. 

Pods not prickly. 

Leaves palmately 3 or 5-foliate or pinnate¬ 
ly 3-foliate. VI. Psoralea. 

Leaves mostly pinnately 5-many-foliate, pet¬ 
als 1. VII. Amorpha. 

Foliage not glandular punctate. 

Leaves 3-foliate. 

Pods curved or coiled; flowers racemose. 

III. Medicago. 
Pods straight; flowers racemose or capitate. 


72 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Leaves pinnate; valves of the pod leath¬ 
ery; flowers in racemes. 

IV. Melilotus. 

Leaves digitate; pod valves thin; flowers 
in heads. V. Trifolium. 

Leaves several to many-foliate. 

Shrubs or small trees; stems spiny; flowers 
white. X. Robinia. 

Herbs, at most woody only at the base. 

Keel prolonged into a beak. XIII. Oxytropis. 
Keel not prolonged into a beak. 

Pod fleshy, indehiscent. XI. Geoprumnon. 
Pod membranous, leathery or woody, dehis¬ 
cent. XII. Astragalus. 


I. SOPHORA L. 

Low, perennial herbs with pinnate many-foliate leaves 
and dense racemes of white, yellow, or violet flowers. 
Stamens 10, the filaments distinct or nearly so. Pods 
stalked in the calyx, terete, constricted between the sub- 
globose seeds, mainly indehiscent. 

1. Sophora sericea Nutt. Silky Sophora. Herbaceous, woody 
at the base. Branched, silky or silvery pubescent with appressed 
hairs. Stipules subulate. Leaves short-petioled. Leaflets 7-25, short- 
stalked, obovate or elliptic, obtuse or emarginate at the apex, nar¬ 
rowed or cuneate at the base, 3"-6" long. Flowers white. Pod dry, 
coriaceous, pubescent, few-seeded. 

Plains and prairies. April-June. Central part of the state. 

II. BAPTISIA Vent. 

Perennial, erect, branching herbs, with sheathing, 
basal scales, alternate 3-foliolate or sometimes simple, 
perfoliate leaves and showy yellow, white or blue flow¬ 
ers in terminal or lateral racemes. Stipules foliaceous. 
Calyx campanulate, 4-5-lobed. Ovary stipulate. Pod 
stalked, ovoid, oblong or nearly globose, pointed, inflated. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


73 


Flowers blue; plant glabrous. 
Flowers yellow. 

Flowers white or cream color. 
Very pubescent. 


3. B. bracteata. 

4. B. leucantha. 


1. B. australis. 

2. B. tinctoria. 


Glabrous or nearly so. 


1. Raptisia australis (L.) R. Br. Blue False Indigo. Stem 
glabrous, stout. Leaves short-petioled, 3-foliolate. Leaflets oblance- 
olate, obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire. Stipules lance¬ 
olate. Racemes terminal, erect, loosely-flowered, elongated. Bracts 
narrow, caducous. Flowers indigo-blue. Pods oblong, stalked in the 
calyx, tipped with the subulate style. 

In rich soil. May-August. Common. 

2. Raptisia tinctoria (L.) R. Br. Yellow Wild Indigo. Glab¬ 
rous, succulent, much branched. Leaves petioled, 3-foliolate. Leaflets 
obovate or oblanceolate, obtuse, cuneate at the base, entire. Racemes 
numerous, few-flowered, terminal. Flowers bright yellow. Pod ovoid 
or nearly globose, 3”-5" long, tipped with the subulate style. 

Dry soil. May-September. Murray County. 

3. Raptisia bracteata Ell. Large-bracted Wild Indigo. Low, 
hairy, and branching. Leaves sessile or short petioled, 3-foliolate. 
Leaflets oblanceolate or spatulate, narrowed or cuneate ar the base, 
obtuse or acutish at the apex, reticulate-veined. Racemes usually 
few, mainly lateral, reclinirg, many-flowered. Flowers white or 
cream colored, very showy. Bracts large and persistent. Pods ovoid, 
mostly narrowed at the base, pubescent, tipped with a long deciduous 
style. 

Prairies. April-May. Very common. 

4. Raptisia leucantha T. & G. Large White Wild Indigo. 
Glabrous, succulent, branching. Leaves petioled, 3-foliolate. Leaf¬ 
lets obovate or oblanceolate, very obtuse, rounded or emarginate at 
the apex, narrowed or cuneate at the base. Racemes lateral, loosely- 
flowered. Flowers white. Pod ellipsoid, long-stalked in the calyx, 
tipped with a subulate style. 

In rich soil. May-July. Hughes County. 


III. MEDICAGO (Tourn.) L. 


Herbs with small 3-foliolate leaves, and small, yellow 
or violet flowers in axillary heads or racemes. Leaflets 
commonly dentate, pinnately-veined, the veins terminat¬ 
ing in the teeth. Calyx teeth short, nearly equal. Stan¬ 
dard obovate or oblong, wings oblong, keel obtuse. Sta- 


74 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


ments diadelphous. Ovary sessile or nearly so. Style 
subulate. Pod curved or spirally twisted, reticulated or 
spiny. 

Perennial; flowers violet, conspicuous. 1. M. saliva. 

Annual; flowers bright yellow, small. 2. M. lupvlina. 

1. Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. Perennial, much branched. 
Leaves petioled. Leaflets oblanceolate or obovate, 2"-12" long, dent¬ 
ate, especially toward the apex, obtuse, cuneate at the base. Stipules 
entire. Flowers violet or blue in a dense short raceme. Pod pubes¬ 
cent, twisted into 2 or 3 spires. 

In fields and waste places. Spring and summer. Cultivated. 

2. Medicago lupulina L. Black Medic. Annual, pubescent, 
branched at the base, the branches decumbent and spreading. Leaves 
petioled. Leaflets obovate, denticulate or crenulate, narrowed or 
rounded at the base. Stipules ovate or lanceolate, dentate. Head 
oblong or cylindric, dense. Flowers bright yellow. Pods nearly 
glabrous, curved into a partial spiral, strongly veined. 

In fields and waste places. March-December. Common. 

IV. MELILOTUS (Tourn.) Mill. 

Annual or biennial herbs, with 3-foliolate, petioled 
leaves, dentate leaflets, and small, white or yellow flowers 
in slender racemes. Calyx teeth short. Standard obovate 
or oblong, wings oblong, keel obtuse. Stamens diadelphous. 
Ovary sessile or stipitate. Pod ovoid or globose, straight. 

Flowers white; standard a little longer than the wings. 

1. M. alba. 

Flowers yellow; standard about equaling the wings. 

2. M. officinalis. 

1. Melilotus alba Desb. White Sweet-clover. Glabrous, branch¬ 
ing, or young leaves and twigs finely pubescent. Leaves petioled. 
Leaflets, oblong, serrate, narrowed at the base, truncate at the apex, 
stipules subulate. Racemes numerous. Flowers white. Pods ovoid, 
slightly reticulated and glabrous. 

In waste places. Common. May-November. 

2. Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. Yellow Sweet-clover. Re¬ 
sembling the preceding species, but flowers yellow. Leaflets rounded 
at the apex, oblong or oval. Pod with irregularly reticulated veins, 
often slightly pubescent with appressed hairs. 

In fields and waste places. March-December. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


75 


V. TRIFOLIUM (Tourn.) L. 

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs. Leaves petioled, of 
3 toothed or serrate leaflets. Stipules united to the petioles. 
Flowers white, yellow, or red, in heads. Calyx 5-cleft, the 
teeth nearly equal, awl-shaped. Keel shorter than the 
wings. Stamens diadelphous. Pod smooth, 1-6-seeded, 
scarcely opening. 

Flowers sessile, or very nearly so; heads dense, ovoid, 
oval or globose. 1. T. yratense. 

Flowers pedicelled; heads umbel-like, globose. 

Ascending or procumbent; flowers pink, pinkish, or 
purple. 2. T. hybridum. 

Creeping; flowers white or pinkish. 3. T. reyens. 

1. Trifolium pratense L. Red Clover. Perennial, more or less 
pubescent, branching. Leaves long-petioled. Stipules ovate, strongly 
veined, subulate-tipped. Leaflets short-stalked, oval, oblong, or obo- 
vate, finely toothed, often with a dark, triangular spot near the 
center. Flowers red. Calyx teeth bristle-shaped hairy. Pod 1-3- 
seeded. 

Moist waste places. April-November. 

2. Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike Clover. Perennial, erect or 
ascending. Leaflets ovate, the margins fringed with hairs, serrulate 
with sharp, pointed teeth, rounded at the apex. Stipules prolonged 
into bristle-points. Flowers rose color and white. 

In waste places. May-October. 

3. Trifolium repens L. White Clover. Resembling preceding 
species but the branches creeping, often rooting at the nodes. Leaf¬ 
lets obovate or obcordate, denticulate. Head globose. Flowers white, 
finally reflexed. Stipules ovate-lanceolate. 

Waste places and lawns. May-December. Common. 

IV. PSORALEA (B. Juss.) L. 

Perennial herbs. Whole plant glandular dotted. Leaves 
mostly 3-5 foliolate. Flowers in axillary or terminal spikes 
or racemes. Calyx 5-cleft, the lobes nearly equal. Stan¬ 
dard ovate or orbicular, keel incurved, obtuse. Stamens 
monodelphous or diadelphous, 5 of the anthers often unde¬ 
veloped. Ovary nearly sessile. Pod included in the calyx, 
often wrinkled, indehiscent, 1-seeded. 


76 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Plants leafy-stemmed. 

Flowers small, 2"-4" long. 

Pods sub-globose. 1. P. lanceolate. 

Pods ovoid, or ovate. 

Pods with a snort, mostly abrupt beak. 

Flowers few, scattered in slender elongated 
racemes. 2. P. tenuiflora. 

Flowers numerous, clustered, or crowded in 
racemes. 3. floribunda. 

Pods with a slender, sharp, or elongated beak. 

Leaflets linear; flowers in loose, elongated race¬ 
mes. 4. P. linearifolia. 

Leaflets linear-lanceolate, oblong, oblanceolate 
or ovate; flowers spiked. 

Leaflets linear-lanceolate, calyx inflated in 
fruit. 5. P. digitata. 

Leaflets oblong; calyx not inflated in fruit. 

6. P. argophylla. 

Flowers large, 6"-8" long, densely spicate. 

7. P. cuspidata. 

Plants acaulescent, or nearly so, low, spreading; roots 
tuberous. 8. P. esculenta. 

1. Psoralea lanceolata Pursh. Lance-leaved Psoralea. Glab¬ 
rous or nearly so, yellowish-green, densely punctate. Leaflets 3. linear 
to oblanceolate. Flowers small, in very short spikes. Calyx about 
1" long, with short broad teeth. 

Dry soil. May-July. Northwest part of state. 

2. Psoralea tenuiflora Pursh. Few-flowered Psoralea. Up¬ 
right, slender, bushy and branching, 2°-4° high, covered when young' 
with a fine, grayish down. Leaves palmately compound, with 3-5 
linear to obovate-oblong leaflets, covered with glandular dots. Flow¬ 
ers purplish, 2"-3" long, loosely racemed. Pods rough with glands. 

Prairies. May-October. Common. 

3. Psoralea floribunda Nutt. Many-flowered Psoralea. Pro¬ 
fusely branching, canescent, not glandular. Leaves 3-5 sometimes 
7-foliolate. Leaflets 5"-18" long, li4"-4" wide, oblong, glandular on 
both surfaces, rugose, glabrous, or with a few, scattered hairs above, 
canescent with closely appressed white hairs beneath. Spikes or 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


77 


racemes usually many-flowered. Pod ovoid, glabrous, light brown, 
covered with darker glands. 

Prairies. May-October. Common. 

4. Psoralea linearifolia T. & G. Narrow-leaved Psoralea. 
Stems not always glandular, glabrous, or sparingly pubescent with 
appressed hairs. Leaves sessile or short petioled, 1-3-foliolate, 5"-15" 
long, l"-2" wide, linear, rugose, glandular, glabrous, or with a few 
appressed hairs. Flowers blue, loosely scattered. Pod 4" long, 
narrowly ovoid or oblong, glandular. 

Prairies. Mpy-August. Western part of state. 

5. Psora T ea digitata Nutt. Digitate Psoralea. Canescent with 
appressed hairs, widely branching. Leaflets 5, or of the upper leaves 
3, digitate. Flowers blue, spiked. Pod ovoid, flattish, pubescent. 

Prairies and hills. May-July. Kingfisher and Harmon counties. 

6. Psoralea argophylla Pursh. Silver-leaf Psoralea. Densely 
silvery-pubescent, with white appressed hairs throughout, widely 
branched. Stem often zigzag. Leaflets 3-5, digitate, oval, oblong or 
obovate, mucronate. Flowers blue, spiked. Oalyx-tube about 1" 
long, the lower tooth about twice as long as the upper teeth. Pod 
ovate. 

Prairies. May-August. Kingfisher County. 

7. Psoralea cuspidata Pursh. Large-bracted Psoralea. 
Branched, finely appressed-pubescent, from a long, deep, tuberous- 
thickened root. Leaflets 5, digitate, entire, oblanceolate or oval. 
Spikes oblong, dense. Bracts lanceolate, long-cuspidate, equaling or 
exceeding the bluish corolla. Pod oval, enclosed in the calyx. 

Prairies. May-June. Common. 

8. Psoralea esculenta Pursh. Prairie Apple or Turnip. Rather 
stout from a large, turnip-shaped, starchy, edible root. Stem densely 
villous-pubescent with whitish hairs. Leaflets 5, digitate, oval or 
obovate, entire. Spikes oblong, dense. Bracts lanceolate, nearly 
equaling the bluish corolla. Pod oblong, glabrous, slightly wrinkled, 
enclosed in the calyx-tube. 

Prairies. May-June. Oklahoma and Comanche counties. 

VII. AMORPHA L. 

Shrubs with glandular-punctate, odd-pinnate, many- 
foliolate leaves. Flowers in terminal, more or less elon¬ 
gated spikes. Calyx teeth 5, about equal. Petals 1. Sta¬ 
mens monodelphous. Pods small, 1-seeded. 

1. Amorpha fruticosa L. False Indigo or River-locust. A 
shrub with pubescent or glabrous foliage. Leaflets 11-21, distant, 
oval or elliptic, entire. Spike-like racemes dense, clustered or soli- 


78 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


tary. Standard violet-purple, emarginate. Stamens exserted. Pod 
glabrous, glandular. 

Along streams. May-July. Common. 

VIII. INDIGOFERA L. 

Herbs, or rarely shrubs, often canescent, with hairs at¬ 
tached by the middle, with odd-pinnate leaves, small stip¬ 
ules, and pink or purple spicate or racemose flowers. Stan¬ 
dard, ovate, or orbicular, sessile or clawed. Wings oblong. 
Keel erect, somewhat gibbous, or spurred. Stamens main¬ 
ly monodelphous, anthers all alike. Pod linear, 4-angled, 
septate between the seeds. 

1. Indigofera leptosepala Nutt. Western Indigo-plant. Per¬ 
ennial, decumbent, pubescent, branching. Leaves short-petioled. 
Leaflets 5-9, oblanceolate or oblong-linear. Spikes, peduncles, loosely 
few-flowered. Flowers pink or purplish. Pods linear, acute, obtusely 
4-angled, reflexed at maturity. 

Prairies. May-November. Frequent. 

IX. CRACCA L. 

Herbs, with odd-pinnate, not punctate, leaves, and pur¬ 
ple, red, or white flowers in terminal or lateral racemes or 
short clusters. Leaflets entire. Calyx-teeth usually near¬ 
ly equal. Petals clawed. Standard orbicular or broadly 
ovate; wings obliquely ovate or oblong; keel curved. Sta¬ 
mens monodelphous; anthers all alike. Pod linear, flat, 2- 
valved, several seeded. 

Raceme terminal, dense, nearly sessile, many-flowered. 

1. C. virginiana. 

Peduncles terminal and lateral, elongated, few-flowered. 

2. C. hispidula. 

1. Craeea virginiana L. Goat’s Rue. Villous or silky pubescent 
with whitish hairs. Roots long, fibrous, tough. Leaves short-peti¬ 
oled. Leaflets 7-25, oblong or linear-oblong. Flowers yellowish- 
purple, crowded into a terminal, often compound, nearly sessile 
raceme. Pod linear, densely pubescent, l'-2' long. 

Dry, sandy and rocky soil. M3ay-July. Frequent. 

2. Cracca hispidula (Michx.) Kuntze. Few-flowered Goat’s 
Rue. Somewhat pubescent, procumbent, much branched, slender, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


79 


l°-2° long. Leaves petioled, leaflets 5-19, short-stalked, oval, oblong, 
oblanceolate or obovate, narrowed, rounded or cuneate at the base, 
obtuse, emarginate or acute at the apex. Peduncles lateral or ter¬ 
minal, slender, 2'-4' long. Flowers red-purple, few, terminal, about 
6" long. Pod linear, long, 2" wide, finely pubescent. 

Dry soil. May-August. 


X. ROBINIA L. 

Spiny trees or shrubs with odd-pinnate leaves, rather 
large, white or pink flowers in crowded, axillary, short- 
peduncled racemes. Stamens diadelphous. Pod flat, linear, 
not septate between the seeds, tardily 2-valved. 

1. Robinia Pseudo-Acacia L. Black Locust. A tree of medium 
size, with rough bark. Leaflets 9-15, ovate or oblong, obtuse and 
slightly mucronate at the apex. Stipules forming persistent spines. 
Racemes loose, pendulous, 3'-5' long. Flowers white, fragrant. Pod 
smooth, 4-8-seeded. Introduced and quite common. 

Rich soil and in cultivation. Common. 

XI. GEOPRUMNON. Rydb. 

Perennial herbs, with tufted, decumbent or ascending 
stems, odd-pinnate leaves with entire leaflets, and rather 
large, showy, flowers in peduncled, axillary racemes. Stand¬ 
ard rather narrow, erect, notched, longer than the wings. 
Keel shorter than the wings. Stamens diadelphous, the 
anthers all alike. Pod globose, fleshy, becoming spongy, 
indehiscent, completely 2-celled. 

Pod ovoid, about 6" long, not wrinkled. 

1. G. plattense. 

Pod oblong, curved, 1' long or more. 

2. G. tennesseense. 

1. Geoprumnon plattense (Nutt.) Rydb. Platte Milk Vetch. 
Villous-pubescent with spreading hairs, prostrate or ascending, 6'-12' 
high. Leaflets 13-29, oblong to ovate, obtuse at the apex, narrowed 
at the base, 4"-9" long, about 2" wide. Flowers yellowish-white or 
tipped with purple, about 9" long in short heads. Pod ovoid, pointed, 
smooth, loosely pubescent, nearly straight. 

Prairies. May. Common. 

2. Geoprumnon tennesseense (A. Gray) Rydb. Tennessee Milk 
Vetch. Stem erect or ascending from a deep root. Plant villous 


80 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


with long whitish hairs. Leaflets 15-31, oblong, or linear oblong. 
Stipules lanceolate or oval. Racemes short, several-many-flowered. 
Pod oblong, conic, fleshy, strongly wrinkled, its summit strongly 
curved. 

On hillsides. March-May. Oklahoma County. 

XII. ASTRAGALUS (Tourn.) L. 

Herbs, with odd-pinnate leaves, and purple, violet, white, 
or yellow flowers in spikes or racemes, or, rarely, umbellate 
or solitary. Stipules present. Petals clawed. Standard 
erect, ovate or oblong. Wings oblong. Keel obtuse, about 
equaling the wings. Stamens diadelphous. Anthers all 
alike. Pod sessile, dehiscent, 1-2-celled. 

Plants scapose, or very short-stemmed; pod curved, 8- 
shaped in cross-section. 1. A. Shortianus. 

Plant leafy-stemmed; pods 1-celled, small, transversely 
wrinkled. 2. A. gracilis. 

1. Astragalus Shortianus Nutt. Short’s Milk Vetch. Silvery 
canescent, somewhat branched from the base. Stipules ovate. Leaf¬ 
lets 9-15, elliptic or obovate. Flowers blue or violet. Peduncles 
shorter than the leaves. Pod 1-celled, sessile, coriaceous, 8-shaped 
in section, lanceolate-ovoid, puberulent, strongly curved and beaked. 

Plains and hills. May-July. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties. 

2. Astragalus gracilis Nutt. Slender Milk Vetch. Finely 
pubescent, simple or nearly so. Stipules ovate. Leaflets 7-21, nar¬ 
rowly linear to linear-oblong, scarcely 1" wide. Flowers purple in 
spike-like racemes. Pod 1-celled, pendent, ellipsoid, finely appressed- 
pubescent with white hairs. 

Prairies. May-June. Southwest part of State. 

XIII. OXYTROPIS DC. 

Herbs, nostly acaulescent, with odd-pinnate leaves, and 
racemose or spicate flowers. Petals clawed. Standard- 
erect, ovate or oblong. Wings oblong. Keel erect, shorter 
than or equaling the wings, its apex mucronate, acuminate 
or appendaged. Stamens diadelphous. Anthers all alike. 
Pod 2-valved, 1-celled, or more or less 2-celled by the in¬ 
trusion of the ventral suture. 

1. Oxytropis Lambert! Pursh. Stemless Loco or Crazy-weed. 
Silky pubescent, with appressed or silky hairs, acaulescent or nearly 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


81 


so, tufted. Leaves 4'-9' long, leaflets 9-19, linear or oblong. Ped¬ 
uncles longer than the leaves. Flowers purple, yellow, or purplish, 
in dense heads or spikes. Pod incompletely 2-celled, sessile, ovoid- 
cylindric, densely pubescent. 

Prairies. April-August. Common. 


XIV. GLYCYRRHIZA (Tourn.) L. 

Perennial herbs, with glandular-punctate foliage, odd- 
pinnate leaves and short, axillary racemes of greenish- 
white flowers. Standard narrowly ovate or oblong, short- 
clawed. Wings oblong, acutish. Keel acute or obtuse, 
shorter than the wings. Stamens mainly diadelphous. 
Anthers alternately smaller and longer. Pod covered with 
prickles or glands, nearly indehiscent. 

1. Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh. American Licorice. Foliage 
with minute scales or glands'. Stipules lanceolate or ovate-lance¬ 
olate, deciduous. Leaves petioled. Leaflets 11-19, lanceolate or 
oblong, entire. Peduncles much shorter than the leaves. Spikes 
dense, many-flowered. Flowers yellowish-white. Calyx-teeth slen¬ 
der, longer than the tube. Pod about 6" long, oblong, densely cov¬ 
ered with hooked prickles. 

Waste places. May-August. Common. 

XV. VICIA (Tourn.) L. 

Slender herbs climbing by tendrils borne at the ends of 
the pinnate leaves. Half sagitatte or entire stipules. Flow¬ 
ers in axillary racemes or few-flowered clusters. Calyx 5- 
toothed, the upper divisions somewhat shorter. Wings of 
the corolla adnate to the keel. Stamens diadelphous (9 
and 1). Style very slender with a tuft or ring of hairs 
at its summit. Pods flat, 2-several-seeded, 2-valved. 

Flowers 7"-10" long. 

Leaflets thin, not strongly veined, usually oval, often 
linear-oblong. 1. V. americana. 

Leaflets thick, strongly veined, linear or linear-oblong. 

2. V. sparsifolia. 

Flowers 2"-5" long, peduncles 3-4-flowered; flowers 
bright blue. 3. V. Leavenworthii. 


82 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Vicia americana Muhl. American Vetch. Perennial, glab¬ 
rous, trailing or climbing. Leaflets 8-14, elliptic or ovate-oblong, 
obtuse, peduncle shorter than the leaves. Racemes loose, 2-9-flow- 
ered. Flowers bluish-purple, 8"-9" long, spreading. Pod glabrous, 
l'-iw long. 

In moist ground. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

2. Vicia sparsifolia Nutt. Narrow leaved American Vetch. 
Perennial, glabrous, stems weak, often zigzag. Leaflets 4-7 pairs, 
narrowly linear to linear-oblong, peduncles shorter than the leaves. 
Racemes loose, 2-6-flowered. Flowers purple or purplish, about 9" 
long. Pod glabrous. 

In dry soil. May-August. 

3. Vicia Leavenworthii T. & G. Leavenworth’s Vetch. Per¬ 
ennial, reclining or climbing. Leaflets 10-14, oblong to oblanceolate. 
Peduncles shorter or longer than the leaves. Pedicels curved. Flow¬ 
ers bluish. Pods oblong, oblique at each end. 

In dry soil. May-June. Kingfisher County. 


FAMILY 40. GERANIACEiE. Geranium Family. 

Herbs with perfect, regular, hypogynous flowers. Sepals 
5, mostly persistent. Petals of the same number. Stamens 
of the same number to 2-3 times as many, distinct, anthers 
2-celled, versatile. Ovary 1-5-lobed and 5-celled. Ovules 
1 or 2 in each cavity. Fruit a capsule. 

I. GERANIUM (Tourn). L. 

Herbs with perfect, regular, hypogynous flowers. Sepals 
mately-lobed, cleft or parted. Flowers regular. Sepals 5. 
Petals 5, hypogynous. Stamens 10, generally 5 longer and 
5 shorter. Ovary 5-lobed, 5-celled. Ovules 2 in each cavity. 
Capsule dehiscent, the cavities 1-seeded. 

Beak short-pointed; inflorescence compact. 

1. G. carolinianum. 

Beak long-pointed; inflorescence loose. 2. G. Bicknellii. 

1. Geranium carolinianum L. Carolina Crane’s-bill. Annual, 
generally branched from the base and above, pubescent with spread¬ 
ing, often glandular, gray hairs. Leaves petioled, reniform-orbicular 
in outline, deeply cleft into 5-9 oblong or obovate, cuneate-toothed 
or lobed segments. Peduncles 2-flowered. Flowers in compact clus- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


83 


ters, pale pink or whitish. Sepals ovate, ciliate, awn-pointed, ovary- 
lobes hispid-pubescent. Beak nearly 1' long, short-pointed. 

In waste places. April-June. Common. 

2. Geranium Bicknellii Britton. Bicknell’s Crane’s-bill. Sim¬ 
ilar to preceding species, but taller. Leaves slender-petioled, some¬ 
what angulate in outline, the segments oblong or linear-oblong, mostly 
narrower. Peduncles 2-flowered. Flowers in loose clusters. Sepals 
lanceolate, awn-pointed. Ovary lobes pubescent. Beak about V long, 
long-pointed, its tip 2"-3" long.. 

Waste places. M'ay-September. Oklahoma County. 


FAMILY 41. OXALIDACEiE. Wood-Sorrell Family. 

Low perennials from small, bulblike, or elongated root¬ 
stocks, stemless or with stems. Leaves alternate or all 
basal, palmately 3-several-foliolate, the leaflets mostly ob- 
cordate. Flowers in scapose cymes or in few-flowered ax 
illary clusters. Calyx of 5 sepals. Petals rose or yellow. 
Stamens 10, the filaments united at the base. Pistil of 5 
united carpels. Fruit a capsule, the seeds transversely 
wrinkled. 

Plants acaulescent, with bulb-like or scaly rootstocks; 
corolla white, pink, or rose-purple. I. Ionoxalis. 

Plants caulescent; corolla yellow. II. Xanthoxalis. 


I. IONOXALIS Small. 

Perennial, acaulescent herbs, with leaves and scapes ris¬ 
ing from scaly bulbs. Petioles elongated. Leaf blades 
palmately 3-several-foliolate, the leaflets narrowly to broad¬ 
ly obcordate, with cuneate bases. Flowers in bracted, cy- 
mose clusters at the end of long, slender, weak, scapelike 
peduncles. Sepals 5, with tubercles at the apex. Stamens 
10. Filaments usually pubescent, united at the base. Cap¬ 
sule elongated, 5-celled. 

1. Ionxalis violacea (L.) Small. Violet Wood-sorrel. Peren¬ 
nial from a brownish bulb with ciliate scales, acaulescent, 4'-9' high. 
Leaflets obcordate, the midrib sometimes sparingly hairy. Flowers 


84 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


8"-10" long. Petals rose-purple or white, 3 times as long as the 
sepals. Capsule ovoid, 2" in diameter. 

In woods and open places. May-June. Common. 

II. XANTHOXALIS Small. 

Low herbs, with horizontal rootstocks sometimes bear¬ 
ing fusiform tubers. Stem erect or decumbent. Leaves 
alternate, palmately 3-foliolate. Leaflets broadly obcordate, 
usually inequilateral. Corolla yellow, sometimes with a 
darker eye. Stamens 10. Filaments glabrous, or the longer 
ciliate. Capsule elongated, 5-celled. 

Stem appressed-pubescent; not creeping. 1. X. stricta. 

Stem loosely pubescent; a plant with creeping stems. 

2. X. corniculata. 

1. Xanthoxalis stricta (L.) Small. Upright Yellow Wood-sor¬ 
rel. Plants low, and erect, pale green. Stem branched at the base. 
Leaflets closing when touched. Flowers yellow, fragrant, in umbel¬ 
like cymes. Pedicels at length reflexed. Petals 4"-5" long, com¬ 
monly red at the base. Capsule 8"-15" long. 

In woods and fields. April-August. Common. 

2. Xanthoxalis corniculata (L.) Small. Yellow or Procum¬ 
bent Wood-sorrel. Stem branched at the base, the branches creep¬ 
ing, somewhat pubescent. Leaflets obcordate, wider than long. Peti¬ 
oles slender, dilated at the base. Flowers yellow, 2"-6" long, ap- 
pressed pubescent. 

Waste places. February-November. Oklahoma County. 


FAMILY 42. LINACEiE. Flax Family. 

Annual or perennial herbs, with alternate or opposite 
leaves, sessile leaves and perfect flowers. Stipules small 
or none. Sepals 5. Petals of the same nufnber as the 
sepals and alternate with them. Stamens of the same 
number, alternate with the petals. Filaments monodel- 
phous at the base. Ovary 2-5-celled, or by false septa 4- 
10-celled. 

Flowers blue; stigmas introrse, more or less elongated, 
sepals glandless. I. Linum. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


85 


Flowers yellow; stigmas capitate; sepals, at least the 
inner ones, glandular on the margins. 

II. Cathartolinum. 


I. LINUM (Touru.) L. 

Annual or perennial herbs, with alternate or opposite 
leaves. Leaves sessile. Inflorescence axillary or terminal. 
Stipules none. Sepals 5, persistent. Petals 5, blue, red 
or rarely white, falling early. Stamens 5, monodelphous. 
Ovary 5-celled. Capsule 5-10-valved. 

Annual; capsule about as long as the calyx; introduced. 

1. L. usitatissimum. 

Perennial; capsule much exceeding the calyx; natural¬ 
ized. 2. L. Lewisii. 

1. Linum usitatissimum L. Flax. Lint-bells. Annual, erect, 
12'-20' high; glabrous. Leaves alternate, 3-nerved, lanceolate, 6"-18" 
long. Flowers in terminal, leafy, cymose panicles. Flowers blue, 
6"-8" broad, twice the length of the sepals. Capsule ovoid-conic, 3"-4" 
long, indehiscent. 

Waste places and ballast. April-July. 

2. Linum Lewisii Pursh. Lewis Wild Flax. Perennial by a 
woody root, 12'-24' high, glabrous. Leaves crowded, oblong, or 
linear, 3"-2G" long, 3-5-nerved. Flowery blue, 12"-18" broad. Cap¬ 
sule broadly ovoid, 2-3 times as long as the calyx, dehiscent. 

Prairies. Miay-July. 

II. CATHARTOLINUM Reichb 

Annual or short-lived perennial herbs, with slender, 
angled stems and small, sessile leaves. Flowers yellow, 
with persistent sepals, and caducous petals. Sepals acute, 
with fine gland-tipped teeth along the margins of at least 
some of them. Capsule ovoid to spherical, the partitions 
mostly complete. 

Outer sepals slightly exceeding the capsule; false parti¬ 
tions of the capsule slightly thickened. 1. C. rigidum. 

Outer sepals greatly exceeding the capsule; false septa 
of the capsule thickened for about one-half their width. 

2. C. Berlandieri. 


86 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Cathartolinum rigidum (Pursh.) Small. Large-flowered 
Yellow Flax. Glabrous or puberulent, 6'-15' high. Leaves linear 
or linear-lanceolate 4"-12" long. Glandular-serrulate or ciliate 
Flowers yellow, 9"-15" broad. Capsuie ovoid, 5-valved, shorter than 
the sepals, 2"-2*4" long. 

Prairies. May-July. 

2. Cathartolinjum Berlandieri (Hook.) Small. Berlandier’s 
Yellow Flax. Bright green, glaucescent, perennial, stem 3'-16' 
high. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, 7"-20" long. Flowers 
bright yellow, 16"-24" broad. Sepals evenly glandular-toothed. Pet¬ 
als obovate. Capsule ovoid, 2"-2t4" long. 

In dry soil. April-June. 


FAMILY 43. ZYGOPHYLLACEiE. Caltrop Family. 

Trailing herbs or spreading shrubs, with compound 
leaves, 2-several-foliolate, abruptly-pinnate leaves. Leaf¬ 
lets small, entire. Flowers perfect, yellow or orange, 
rather small, regular. Sepals 5. Petals 5. Stamens twice 
as many, in 2 whorls. Pistil of 5 united carpels. Fruit a 
capsule of various forms, 3-12-celled, separating at ma¬ 
turity into nutlets containing the seed. 

Fruit with several strong sharp spines. I. Tribulus. 

Fruit merely tuberculate, not spiny. II. Kallstroemia. 

I. TRIBULUS (Torun.) L. 

Prostrate herbs with evenly-pinnate stipulate leaves 
and axillary flowers. Sepals 5, deciduous. Petals 5, de¬ 
ciduous. Stamens 10, hypogynous, the alternate ones 
somewhat longer. Ovary sessile, 5-lobed, 5-celled, hairy. 
Fruit 5-angled, spiny, splitting into five 3-5-seeded seg¬ 
ments. 

1. Tribulus terrestris L. Ground Burnut. Annual pubescent, 
the stem prostrate, sometimes 12' long or more. Leaflets 4-8 pairs, 
oblong, inequilateral, opposite, 3"-8" long. Flowers solitary, about 
6" broad. Peduncles shorter than the leaves. Petals oblong, about 
as long as the sepals. Segments of the fruit each with two stout 
spines and two or more smaller ones. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


87 


Waste places. May-September. Common. Becoming a very 
bad weed in Oklahoma. 


II. KALLSTROEMIA Scop 

Annual, branching, pubescent herbs, the branches often 
prostrate, with opposite evenly-pinnate leaves, and soli¬ 
tary, axillary, yellow flowers. Petals and sepals 5. Stam¬ 
ens 10. Fruit 10-12-lobed, not spiny, often tubercled, 
splitting into 10-12 1-seeded segments. 

1. Kallsfcrcemia intermedia Rydb. Greater Caltrop. Annual, 
branches slender, hirsute and pilose, prostrate, 5'-18' long. Leaf¬ 
lets 3-5 pairs, oval or oblong, inequilateral, 4"-10" long. Flowers 
V broad or less, yellow. Fruit ovoid-conic, strigose-canescent, about 
3" in diameter, shorter than the persistent style, segments tubercled. 

In dry soil. April-September. Grady County. 


FAMILY 44. RUTACEJE. Rue Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with heavy-scented and glandular- 
punctate foliage, alternate or opposite, mainly compound 
leaves without stipules, and polygamo-dicecious, generally 
cymose flowers. Sepals 3-5, or none. Petals 3-5, hypogy- 
nous or perigynous. Stamens of the same number, or 
twice as many, distinct. Pistils 1-5, distinct, or 1 and 
compound of 2-5 carpels. Fruit a capsule or a samara. 

Pistils 1-5, distinct; fruit fleshy, capsular. 

I. Zanthoxylum. 

Pistil 1, 2-celled; fruit a samara. II. Ptelea. 

I. ZANTHOXYLUM L. 

Trees or shrubs, with bark, twigs and petioles usually 
prickly. Leaves odd-pinnate, marked with translucent 
dots. Flowers in axillary or terminal cymes or umbels, 
monoecious or dioecious. Sepals and petals 3-5 or none. 
Stamens 3-5, hypogynous. Pistils 2-5, distinct. Carpels 
2-valved, 1-2-seeded. Seeds smooth and shining, 


88 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Xanthoxylum ammcanum Milo. Prickly Asii. Toothache- 
tree. A prickly, aromatic shrub. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate. 
Leaflets 3-11, ovate, opposite, nearly sessile, l%'-2' long. Flowers 
greenish, in the sessile, axillary cymes, borne on the wood of the 
previous season and appearing before the leaves. Calyx none. Petals 
4 or 5. Pistils 2-5. Follicles black, about 2" long. 

In woods and thickets. April-May. 

II. PTELEA L. 

Shrubs or small trees, without prickles. Leaves 3-5- 
foliolate, with entire or serrulate leaflets. Flowers green¬ 
ish-white, polygamous, corymbose-paniculate. Calyx 4- 
5-parted, imbricated. Petals 4-5, imbricated. Stamens 
4-5, alternate with the petals. Ovary flattened, 2-celled. 
Fruit a nearly orbicular samara, 2-winged. 

1. Ptelea trifoliata L. Three-leaved Hop-tree. A shrub. 
Leaves long petioled, 3-foliolate. Leaflets ovate or oval, 2'-5' long, 
sessile, crenulate. Flowers in terminal, compound cymes. Odor dis¬ 
agreeable. Samara 8"-9" in diameter, the wing membranous and 
reticulated, emarginate. 

In woods and rocky soil. May-June. Kingfisher-Comanche 
counties. 


FAMILY 45. POLYGALACEAE. Milkwort Family. 

Herbs or shrubs with simple or entire leaves and no 
stipules. Flowers mostly small, papilionaceous in ap¬ 
pearance. Sepals 2 to 5. Petals 3. Stamens monodel- 
phous or diadelphous, with 1-celled anthers opening with 
a terminal pore. Pods flat, 1 or 2-celled. 


I. POLYGALA (Tourn.) L. 

Low herbs or shrubs with solitary or racemose flowers 
and small simple leaves. Sepals 5, the 2 lateral ones 
large and petaloid. Petals 3, united to each other and to 
the stamen tube, the middle one often crested and append- 
aged. Stamens 6 or 8. Pod 2-celled, flattened contrary to 
the partition, sometimes winged. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


89 


1. Polygala alba Nutt. White Milkwort. Perennial, glab¬ 
rous, erect, branched from the base. Leaves alternate, linear, 3"-12" 
long, entire. Spike terminal, dense, l'-2' long. Flowers 1"-1%" 
long, white. Wings oblong-ovate. Seeds silky, about twice the 
length of the caruncle lobes. 

Prairies. May-July. 


FAMILY 46. EUPHORBIACEiE. Spurge Family. 

Monoecious or dioecious herbs or shrubs, with acrid or 
milky sap. Leaves simple, sessile or petiolate, alternate 
or opposite. Stipules present or wanting. Flowers apet- 
alous or petaliferous, sometimes much reduced and sub¬ 
tended by an involucre which resembles a calyx, the num¬ 
ber of parts of the perianth varying in the staminate 
and pistillate flowers in the same species. Stamens few 
or numerous, in one series or many. Filaments separate 
or united. Ovary usually 3-celled. Ovules 1 or 2 in each 
cavity. Styles as many as the cavities in the ovary. 
Fruit a mostly 3-lobed capsule, separating into three 2- 
valved carpels from a persistent axis at maturity. 

Flowers not in an involucre, with a true calyx. 

Ovules 2 in each cavity of the ovary. 

I. Phyllanthus. 

Ovule 1 in each cavity of the ovary. 

Flowers spicate, racemose or axillary; calyx not 
corolla-like. 

Corolla present in either the staminate or pis¬ 
tillate flowers, or in both. II. Croton. 

Corolla none; pubescence not stellate. 

Pistillate flowers with foliaceous or scale-like 
bracts; stamens 8 or more. III. Tragia. 
Pistillate flower with glandular, saucer- 


90 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


shaped bracts; stamens 2 or 3. 

IV. Stillingia. 

Flowers in cymes; calyx corolla-like, salver-form. 

V. Cnidoscolus. 

Flowers in an involucre, the calyx represented by a 
minute scale at the base of the filament-like pedicel. 
Glands of the involucres with petal-like appendages, 
these sometimes much reduced. 

Leaves all opposite. VI. Chamaesyce. 

Leaves alternate or scattered at least below the 
inflorescence. 

Annual or biennial; stipules narrow; bracts 
petal-like. VII. Dichrophyllum. 

Perennial; stipules none; bracts not petal-like. 

VIII. Tithymalopsis. 
Glands of the involucres without petal-like appen¬ 
dages, entirely naked, sometimes with crescent¬ 
like horns. 

Stem topped by an umbel; stipules none; involu¬ 
cres in open cymes, each with four glands and 
entire or toothed lobes. IX. Tithymalus. 
Stem not topped by an umbel; stipules gland¬ 
like; involucres in cluster-like cymes, each 
with a single gland or rarely 4 glands and 
fimbriate lobes. X. Poinsettia. 

I. PHYLLANTHUS L. 

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs. Stems wiry. 
Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers monoecious, apetalous, 
a staminate and pistillate one together in the axils. Sta¬ 
mens usually 3, the filaments more or less united, rarely 
separate. Ovary 3-celled. Ovules 2 in each cavity. 
Styles 3. each 2-cleft. Capsule globose. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


91 


1. Phyllanthus polygonoides Nutt. Perennial. Stem usually 
diffusely-branched at the base. Branches wire-like. Leaves alter¬ 
nate. Blades oblong or oblong-cuneate, 3"-8" long, entire. Sepals 
white-margined, acute. Capsules spheroidal. Seeds minutely warty. 

In sandy or rocky soil. Spring and fall. 

II. CROTON L. 

Herbs or shrubs, monoecious or rarely dioecious, strong¬ 
ly scented, stellate-pubescent, more or less glandular. 
Leaves mostly alternate, entire, toothed, or lobed. Flow¬ 
ers in axillary terminal clusters. Staminate flowers up¬ 
permost. Sepals 4-6, usually 5. Petals usually present, 
but small or rudimentary, alternating with the gland, 
Stamens 5 or more. Pistillate flowers clustered below the 
staminate. Sepals 5-10. Petals usually wanting. Ovary 
mostly 3-celled. Ovule 1 in each cavity. Styles one, twice 
or many times 2-cleft. Capsule mostly splitting into three 
2-valved carpels. 

Leaves toothed; staminate calyx 4-lobed, pistillate 5- 
lobed. 1. C. glandulosus. 

Leaves entire; staminate calyx 3-5-lobed, pistillate 5-12 
lobed. 2. C. capitatus. 

1. Croton glandulosus L. Glandular Croton. Annual, monoe¬ 
cious, rough with stellate hairs, and somewhat glandular. Stem 
erect 8'-30' high. Leaves oblong, linear-oblong or ovate, %'-3’ long, 
coarsely serrate, bearing two glands, at the base of the blade. Flow¬ 
er clusters terminal or axillary, the staminate in spikes, the pistil¬ 
late at the base of the staminate. Capsule sub-globose about 2%" 
in length. 

In sandy soil. March-December. Cbmmon. 

2. Croton capitatus Michx. Capitate Croton. Annual, mo¬ 
noecious, densely stellate-pubescent. Leaves lanceolate, oblong or 
ovate, entire, obtuse, or cordate at the base. Flower clusters at the 
ends of the branches. The staminate with 5-parted calyx, 5 petals. 
The pistillate flowers with 7-12 sepals, no petals. Capsule depressed- 
globose, 3"-3!4" in diameter. 

In dry soil. May-October. 

III. TRAGIA (Plum.) L. 

Perennial, monoecious herbs, or shrubs, usually armed 


92 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


with stiff, stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, entire, toothed 
or lobed, mostly cordate, petioled. Flowers in racemes, or 
spicate-racemes, bracteolate, apetalous. Staminate flowers 
with 3-5 sepals, and mostly with 1-3 stamens. Pistillate 
flowers with 3-8 sepals. Ovary 3-celled. Ovules solitary. 
Styles 3, often united to above the middle. Capsule 3- 
lobed, separating into three 2-valved carpels. 

Staminate calyx 3-lobed; stamens 3. 1. T. Nepetaefolia. 

Staminate calyx 4-5-lobed; stamens 4 or 5. 

2. T. ramosa. 

1. Tiragla nepetaefolia Cav. Catnep Tragia. Perennial, hispid 
with stinging hairs. Stem erect or reclining, 6'-15' long. Leaves 
triangular-ovate or lanceolate, 5"-24" long, dentate-serrate, cordate 
at. the base. Staminate flowers with 3-lobed calyx and 3 stamens. 
Pistillate flowers with 5-lobed calyx. Capsule 3" in diameter, hirsute. 

In sandy soil. M#y-Gctober. 

2. Tragia ramosa Torr. Branching Tragia. Perennial, bristly, 
with stinging hairs. Leaves lanceolate to triangular-lanceolate, coarse¬ 
ly and sharply serrate, truncate or cordate at the base. Racemes 
few-flowered. Staminate flowers with a 4-5 lobed calyx, 4-6 stamens. 
Pistillate flowers with a 5-lobed calyx subtended by a 3-lobed bract. 
Capsule depressed, bristly. 

In dry soil. May-August. Wichita Mountains. 

IV. STILLINGIA L. 

Monoecious, glabrous herbs or shrubs, with simple or 
branched stems, alternate -or, rarely, opposite, entire or 
toothed leaves, often with two glands at the base, the 
flowers bracteolate in terminal spikes, apetalous, the bract- 
lets 2-glandular. Staminate flowers several together in 
the axils of the bractlets, the calyx slightly 2-3-lobed. Pis¬ 
tillate solitary in the axils of the lower bractlets. Calyx 
3-lobed, ovary 2-celled. Capsule 2 or 3 lobed, separating 
into 2 or 3 2-vaived carpels. 

1. Stillingia sylvatica L. Queen’s Delight. Perennial herb. 
Stems usually several together, l°-3%° tall, simple or umbellately 
branched above. Leaf-blades lanceolate to elliptic, 5"-4' long, acute, 
serrulate. Capsule 5"-7" in diameter. 

In dry soil. March-October. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


93 


V. CNIDOSCOLUS Pohl 

Perennial monoecious herbs or shrubs, with stinging- 
bristly foliage, and entire, lobed, or divided petioled leaves, 
the flowers in cymes. Flowers apetalous. Staminate flowers 
on the upper part of the cymes, with a corolla-like, 5-lobed 
calyx, the -stamens usually numerous (10 or more) and in 
several series, their filaments mostly united at the base. 
Pistillate flowers in the lower forks of the cymes. Capsule 
ovoid or sub globose, easily separating into 2-valved car¬ 
pels. 

1. Cnidoscolus stimulosus (Michx.) Engelm & Gray. Spurge 
Nettle. Perennial herb, armed with stinging hairs. Stem 4'-3%° 
tall. Leaves nearly orbicular in outline,' 3'-12' broad, truncate, or 
cordate at the base, deeply 3-5-lobed, the lobes entire, toothed or pin- 
natifid. Calyx of the staminate flower salver-form, white or pink, 
10"-20" broad. Capsule oblong, 5"-8" long, papillose, wrinkled. 

In sandy soil. March-August. Central part of the state. 

V. CHAMAESYCE S. F. Gray. 

Annual or perennial herbs or shrubs. Stems often ra¬ 
dially branched at the base, the branches ascending or 
prostrate, sometimes creeping, forking. Leaves entire or 
toothed, more or less oblique at the base, opposite. Involu¬ 
cres solitary in the axils or in axillary cymes. Glands 4, 
sessile or stalked. Capsule smooth, sometimes pubescent, 
the angles sharp or rounded. 

Leaves entire; seeds smooth. 1. C. serpens. 

Leaves serrate or dentate; plants prostrate or spreading. 

Herbage glabrous. 2. C. serpyllifolia. 

Herbage pubescent, or puberulent. 3. Preslii. 

1. Chamaesyce serpens (H.B.K.) Small. Round-leaved 
Spreading Spurge. Annual, glabrous. Stem prostrate, 2'-12' long, 
much branched. Leaves orbicular to oval, l"-3" long, entire. In¬ 
volucres solitary in the axils, bearing 4 glands. Capsule nodding, 
1" in diameter. 

Prairies. March-October. 

2. Chamaesyce serpyllifolia (Pers.) Small. Thyme-leaved 
Spurge. Annual, dark green or becoming reddish, glabrous. Stem 
prostrate or ascending, 4'-12' long, Leaves oblong to spatulate, 


94 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


2"-6" long, nearly entire or serrulate to below the middle. Involucres 
usually solitary in the axils of the leaves. Capsule 1" broad. 

In dry soil. M/ay-September. 

3. Ohamaesyce Preslii (Guss.) Arthur. Upright Spotted 
Spurge. Annual, glabrous or sparingly pubescent. Stem 7'-24' tall. 
Leaves opposite, oblong, or linear-oblong, 3-nerved, unequally serrate, 
often with a red blotch and red margins. Capsule glabrous, 1" in 
diameter. 

Fields and thickets. May-October. 


VII. DICHROPHYLLUM Kl, & Garcke. 

Annual, caulescent herbs, with the erect stems often 
topped with a several-rayed umbel. Leaves scattered below 
the umbel, above it opposite or whirled, often petal-like 
and showy, entire. Involucres campanulate, in rather dense 
cymes, pubescent without and within. Lobes fringed. 
Glands 5, with white or pink petal-like appendages. Cap¬ 
sule exserted, large pubescent, the lobes rounded. 

1. Dichrophyllum marginatum (Pursh.) Kl. & Garcke. Snow- 
on-the-mountain. Annual, glabrous or pubescent. Stem erect, 
10'-36' tall. Leaves excepting the whorl subtending the umbel, scat¬ 
tered, ovate to obovate, 10"-3%' long, entire. Rays of the umbel 
forked. Bracts large, white-margined. Capsule depressed globose, 
3" in diameter, pubescent. 

In dry soil. May-October. Common. 

VIII. TITHYMALOPSIS Kl. & Garcke. 

Perennial herbs, with tough rootstocks and glabrous or 
pubescent foliage. Stems solitary or tufted, topped by 
several-rayed umbels. Leaves alternate or scattered below 
the umbels, above it opposite or whorled, entire, more or 
less leathery. Glands sessile or stalked, with white, pink 
or rose petal-like appfendages. Capsule exserted, lobes 
rounded. Seeds narrowed upward, punctate. 

1. Tithymalopisis corollata (L.) Kl. & Garcke. Flowering 
Spurge. Perennial, glaborous or pubescent. Stem erect, 10'-36' 
tall. Leaves linear, oblong or oblong-spatulate, 10"-20" long, en¬ 
tire. Involucres mostly terminal. Capsule erect, l"-2" in diame¬ 
ter. 

In dry soil. April-October. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


95 


IX. TITHYMALUS (Tourn.) Adans. 

Annual or perennial herbs, with simple or branched 
stems, which are topped by several-rayed umbel-like cymes. 
Leaves below the umbel usually scattered or alternate. 
Bracts of the umbel quite different from the stem-leaves. 
Blades entire or toothed. Glands 4, the missing one rep¬ 
resented by a thin, often ciliate, lobe. Capsule exserted, 
smooth or tuberculate. 

1. Tithymalus missouriensis (Norton) Small. Reticulate- 
seeded Spurge. Annual, glabrous. Stem erect, 4'-15' high, topped 
by a compound 3-rayed umbel. Leaves, except those subtending 
the umbel, scattered, spatulate or oblong, 5"-18" long, serrate to 
below the middle. Involucres solitary in the axils. Capsule 1 
in diameter, with elongated warts. I 

Plains and prairies. May-August. 

X. POINSETTIA Graham 

Annual or perennial herbs or shrubby plants, with green 
or partially often more highly colored, foliage. Leaves al¬ 
ternate below, opposite above, similar throughout or very 
variable. Stipules gland-like. Involucres in axillary or 
terminate cymes, or solitary, the lobes fringed. Glands 
fleshy, solitary, or rarely 3 or 4, sessile or short-stalked, 
the missing ones represented by narrow lobes. Capsule 
exserted, the lobes rounded. 

1. Poinsettia hetrophylla (L.) Kl. & Garcke. Various-leaved 
Spurge. Annual or biennial, pubescent or nearly glabrous. Stem 
erect, l°-3° tall, leafy at the ends of the branches. Leaves alter¬ 
nate, 6'-12' long. Leaflets 9-21 ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lance- 
or dentate, the uppermost often fiddle-shaped and blotched with red. 
Involucres clustered at the ends of branches. Capsule 3" in diam¬ 
eter. 

In sandy soil. April-November. 


FAMILY 47. ANACARDIACEiE. Sumac Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with acrid, resinous, or milky sap, 
usually alternate leaves, and polygamo-dicecious or perfect, 
regular flowers. Leaves pinnately 3-many foliolate, or 


96 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


simple, without stipules. Flowers small, in crowded clus¬ 
ters. Calyx 3-7-cleft. Petals 3-7. Stamens as many, or 
twice as many, inserted at the base of the disk. Ovary 
in the pistillate flowers 1 or 4 or 5-celled. Ovules 1 in 
each cavity. Fruit a drupe. 

Styles terminal; leaves compound; fruit nearly symmet¬ 
rical. 

Fruit densely pubescent, its stone smooth. 

Flowers in dense, terminal panicles, appearing after 
the leaves. I. Rhus. 

Flowers in clustered spikes, appearing before the 
leaves. II. Schmaltzia. 

Fruit glabrous, or sparingly pubescent, its stone stri¬ 
ate. III. Toxicodendron. 

Styles lateral; leaves simple; fruit gibbous. 

IV. Cotinus. 


I. RHUS. (To.urn.) L. 

Trees or shrubs, with alternate odd-pinnate leaves, no 
stipules, and small polygamous flowers in terminal pan¬ 
icles. Pistil 1, ovary 1-ovuled. Styles 3, terminal. Drupe 
small, 1-seeded, sub-globose, pubescent. 

Rachis of the leaf wing-margined. 1. R. copallina. 

Rachis of the leaf nearly terete. 2. R. glabra. 

1. Rhus copallina L. Upland Sumac. A shrub. Leaves pin¬ 
nate, 6'-12' long. Leaflets 9-12, ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lance¬ 
olate, entire or few-toothed toward the apex. Rachis wing-margined 
between the leaflets. Flowers polygamous, green, in dense, terminal 
panicles. Drupe compressed, crimson, covered with short fine acid 
hairs. 

In dry soil. May-August. Common. 

2. RJius glabra L. Smooth Upland Sumac. A shrub, glabrous 
and somewhat glaucous. Leaflets 11-31, lanceolate or oblong-lan¬ 
ceolate, sharply serrate, rachis not winged. Inflorescence and fruit 
similar to preceding species. 

In dry soil, May-August. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


97 


II. SCHMALTZIA Desv. 

Shrubs with polygamo-dioecious, small, green flowers 
unfolding before the 3-foliolate alternate leaves. Flowers 
spicate or capitate. Ovary 1-ovuled. Styles 3, short. Fruit 
a small pubescent drupe. 

Leaflets l'-3' long, crenate-dentate, acutish. 

1. S. crenate. 

Leaflets 6"-18" long, obtuse or obtusish, with few round¬ 
ed teeth or lobes. 2. S. trilobata. 

1. Schmaltzia crenata (Mill.) Greene. Sweet-scented Sumac. 
A shrub. Leaves petioled, 3-foliolate, aromatic. Leaflets ovate or 
rhomboid, crenate or crenate-dentate, with numerous, large teeth. 
Flowers yellowish-green, in clustered spikes. Drupe globose, red, 
pubescent. 

In rocky woods. March-April. 

2i. Schmaltzia trilobata Nutt. Ill-scented Sumac. A glabrous 
or somewhat hairy shrub. Leaves petioled, 3-foliolate, unpleasantly 
odorous. Leaflets sessile, ovate or oval, all crenately few-lobed or 
toothed, or sometimes entire. Flowers and fruit as in preceding 
species. 

Sandy and rocky soil. March. 

III. TOXICODENDRON (Tourn.) Mill. 

Small trees, shrubs, or climbing vines, with 3-foliolate 
or pinnate leaves, poisonous to the touch, and axillary pan¬ 
icles of small, polygamous flowers unfolding after the leaves. 
Calyx 5-cleft. Petals and stamens 5. Drupes glabrous or 
sparingly pubescent. 

Glabrate, or somewhat pubescent; leaflets thin, entire or 
sinuate; fruit not papillose. 1. T. radicans. 

Densely pubescent; leaflets firm in texture, deeply 3-7- 
lobed; fruit papillose. 2. T. Toxicodendron. 

1. Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze. Poison Ivy. A woody 
vine, climbing by numerous, aerial rootlets, or erect and bushy. 
Leaves petioled, 3-foliolate, leaflets ovate or rhombic, entire or spar¬ 
ingly dentate or sinuate. Flowers green in loose, axillary panicles. 
Drupe globose-oblong, glabrous or sparingly pubescent. 

Thickets and along fences. May-June. Common. 


98 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


2. Toxicodendron toxicodendron (L.) Britton. Poison Oak. A 
low branching shrub, spreading by underground branches, the young 
shoots densely pubescent. Leaves long-petioled, 3-foliolate. Leaf¬ 
lets ovate to obovate, irregularly lobed, toothed or sinuate-margined. 
Panicles long. Fruit papillose, depressed-globose. 

Dry woods. April-May. Common. 

IV. COTINUS Adans. 

Shrubs or small trees, with a ternate-petioled ovate, 
oval, or obovate entire leaves, and small, polygamous flow¬ 
ers in large, terminal panicles. The calyx 5-parted. Petals 
longer than the calyx. Stamens 5. Drupe obliquely ob¬ 
long or oval, compressed, gibbous, 1-seeded. 

1. Cotinus americanus Nutt. Chittam-wood. A small, widely 
branched tree. Leaves oval or slightly obovate. Flowers green, 
borne in loose, large, terminal panicles, pedicels elongating to l'-l%' 
and becoming very plumose. Drupe reticulate-veined, 2" long. 

Rocky hills. April-May. 


FAMILY 48. ILICACEiE. Holly Family. 

Shrubs or trees, with watery sap, and alternate-peti- 
oled simple leaves. Flowers axillary, small, clustered or 
solitary, white, mainly polygamo-dioecious, regular. Stip¬ 
ules minute or none. Calyx 3-6-parted. Petals 4-6, dis¬ 
tinct or slightly united at the base, hypogynous, decidu¬ 
ous. Stamens hypogynous, as many as the petals or 
sometimes more. Ovary 1, superior, 3-several-eelled. 
Stigma discoid or capitate. Fruit a small berry-like 
drupe, enclosing several nutlets. 

I. ILEX L. 

Shrubs or trees, with entire, dentate or spiny-toothed, 
minutely stipulate leaves, and axillary, cymose or solitary, 
perfect or polygamous flowers. Calyx small, 4-5-cleft or 
toothed. Petals 4-9, somewhat united at the base, oblong, 
obtuse. Stamens of the same number, adnate to the base 
of the corolla. Berry-like drupe globose. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


99 


1. Ilex epaca Ait. American Holly. A tree of slow growth. 
Leaves elliptical or obovate, evergreen, glabrous on both sides, spiny- 
tipped, spinose-dentate. Staminate cymes 3-10-flowered. Fertile 
flowers mostly scattered and solitary. Drupe globose or globose- 
oblong, red. Nutlets ribbed. 

In moist woods. April-June. Southeastern part of state. 


FAMILY 49. CELASTRACEiE. Staff-Tree Family. 

Shrugs or trees or twining vines. Leaves alternate or 
opposite, simple. Flowers regular, generally perfect, some¬ 
times dioecious, small. Calyx 4-5 lobed, or parted. Petals 
4-5, spreading. Stamens inserted on the disk, alternate 
with the petals. Ovary mostly 3-5-celled. Fruit a de¬ 
hiscent 2-5-celled pod. 

Leaves opposite; erect or decumbent shrubs. 

I. Euonymus. 

Leaves alternate; woody vine. II. Celastrus. 

I. EUONYMUS (Tourn.) L. 

Shrubs, with opposite-petioled or serrate leaves, and 
perfect, cymose, axillary, greenish or purple flowers, Calyx 
4-5-cleft. Petals 4-5 inserted beneath the 4-5-lobed disk. 
Stamens 4 or 5, inserted on the disk. Ovary 3-5-celled, 
the cavities 1-2-seeded. 

1. Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. Wahoo. A shrub or small 
tree, 6°-25° high. Leaves ovate-oblong or elliptic long, acu¬ 

minate at the apex, acute or obtuse at the base, puberulent, crenulate- 
serrulate. Flowers purple, 5"-6" broad. Petals commonly 4, obovate. 
Capsule smooth, deeply 3-4 lobed, 6°-8° broad. 

Woods. May-June. Common. 

II. CELASTRUS L. 

Usually twining vines or shrubs. Leaves alternate, 
entire or toothed. Flowers in axillary or terminal ra¬ 
cemes or panicles, dioecious. Sepals and petals 5. Stamens 
5. Capsule 2-4-celled. 


100 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Olastrus scandens L. Climbing Bittersweet. A twining, 
woody vine. Leaves alternate, ovate, oval or obovate, 2'-4' long, 
glabrous on both sides, acuminate or acute at the apex, acute or 
rounded at the base, crenulate. Flowers greenish, about 2" broad, 
in terminal compound racemes. Petals crenate, much longer than 
the calyx-lobes. Capsule yellow or orange, 5"-6" in diameter, open¬ 
ing in autumn. 

May-June. In rich soil. Frequent. 

FAMILY 50. STAPHYLEACEiE. Bladder-Nut Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with mostly opposite, odd-pinnate or 
3-foliolate stipulate leaves, and regular, perfect flowers in 
terminal or axillary clusters. Sepals, petals and stamens 
usually 5. Carpels mostly 3. Fruit a dehiscent, bladdery 
capsule in the following genus. 

I. STAPHYLEA L. 

Shrubs with opposite 3-foliolate or pinnate leaves, and 
axillary drooping racemes or panicles of white flowers. 
Pedicels jointed. Petals the same number as the sepals 
and about equaling them. Ovary 2-3-parted, the lobes 1- 
celled. Ovules numerous in each cavity. Capsule 2-3- 
lobed. Seeds globose. 

1. Staphylea trifolia L. American Bladder-nut. A branching 
shrub. Young leaves and petioles pubescent. Mature foliage glab- 
rate. Leaflets ovate or oval, finely and sharply serrate. Flowers 
campanulate, racemed. Pedicels bracted at the base. Capsule much 
inflated, about 2' long, 1' wide. 

In moist woods and thickets. April-May. 

FAMILY 51. ACERACEiE. Maple Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with abundant, often sugary sap. 
Leaves opposite, simple and palmately lobed, or pinnate, 
without stipules. Flowers regular, mostly somewhat 
monoecious or dioecious, in axillary and terminal cymes 
or racemes. Calyx 4-9-parted. Petals as many as the 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


101 


lobes of the calyx or none. Stamens 4-12, hypogynous. 
Ovary 2-celled. Styles 2. Fruit a double key. 

I. ACER (Tourn.) L. 

Characters of the genus the same as for the family. 

Leaves simple, palmately lobed. 

Flowers in dense, sessile, lateral clusters, unfolding 
before the leaves. 

Petals none; ovary tomentose, samaras divergent. 

1. A. saccharinum. 

Petals present; ovary glabrous, samaras incurved. 

2. A. rubrum. 

Flowers corymbose, lateral, unfolding with the 
leaves. 

Leaves pale and nearly glabrous beneath. 

3. A. saccharum. 

Leaves green and pubescent, at least on the veins, 
beneath. 4. A. nigrum. 

Leaves pinnate. 5. A. Negundo. 

1. Acer sacchharinum L. Silver Maple. A large tree. Leaves 
4'-6' long, deeply 5-lobed, coarsely and irregularly dentate, green 
above, silvery white beneath. Flowers greenish to red, in corymbs. 
Stamens 3-6. Samaras pubescent, divaricate. 

Along streams. February-April. Cultivated. 

2. Acer rubrum L. Scarlet Maple. Large tree. Twigs reddish. 
Leaves sharply 3-5-lobed, the lobes irregularly dentate. Flowers 
red or yellowish in sessile lateral clusters. Stamens 3-6. Samaras 
glabrous, slightly incurved. 

In swamps and low grounds. March-April. Eastern and central 
part of the state. 

3. Acer saccharum Marsh. Sugar Maple. A large tree. Leaves 
3'-6' long, 3-7-lobed, the lobes acuminate, irregularly sinuate, the 
sinuses rounded. Flowers greenish-yellow, in lateral or terminal 
corymbs, drooping on capillary hairy pedicels, appearing with the 
leaves. Petals none. Samaras glabrous, slightly diverging. 

In rich woods. April-May. Southeastern part of the state. 

4. Acer nigrum Michx. Black Sugar Maple. A large tree with 
rough, blackish bark. Leaves similar to preceding, but lobes much 


102 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


broader and shorter, with few undulations or frequently entire, the 
basal sinus often narrow. Samaras slightly more divergent. 

In rich woods. April-May. Eastern part of state. 

5. Acer Negundo L. Box Elder. A small tree. Leaves oppos¬ 
ite, pinnately 3-5 foliolate. Leaflets ovate, lobed, toothed or entire, 
flowers dioecious, drooping, appearing a little before the leaves. Sam¬ 
aras glabrous, long. 

Along streams. April. Common. 

FAMILY 52. iESCULACEiE. Buckeye Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with opposite-petioled, digitately 3-9- 
foliolate leaves, and conspicuous, polygamous, irregular 
flowers in terminal panicles, the bark of an unpleasant 
odor. Calyx 5-lobed or 5-cleft, the lobes unequal. 

Petals 4-5, unequal, clawed. Stamens 5-8, hypogynous. 
Ovary 3-celled. Ovules 2 in each cell. Capsule leathery, 
globose or slightly 3-lobed, smooth or spiny, 1-3-celled. 
Seeds large, shining, cotyledons very thick. 


I. iESCULUS L. 

Characters of the genus the same as for the family. 

Capsule spiny, at least when young; stamens exserted. 
A tree; leaflets 5-7, pubescent. 1. Ae. glabra. 

A shrub; leaflets 7-9, glabrate. 2. Ae. arguta. 

Capsule glabrous; stamens scarcely exceeding the pet¬ 
als. 3. Ae. octandra. 

1. iEsculus glabra Willd. Ohio Buckeye. A large tree. Leaf¬ 
lets generally 5. Flowers small. Corolla of 4 upright, pale yellow 
petals. Stamens curved, about twice as long as the petals. Fruit 
prickly when young. • 

Along streams. Central and eastern Oklahoma. April-Miay. 

2. AEsculus arguta Buckl. Shrubby or western Buckeye. A 
shrub. Twigs, young petioles, leaves and inflorescence somewhat 
pubescent, becoming glabrate. Leaflets 7-9, unequally serrate. Flow¬ 
ers yellow, the center reddish. Stamens exserted, curved. Fruit 
very spiny when young. 

Dry soil. Arbuckle Mountains. March-April. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


103 


3. iEsculus octandra Marsh. Yellow sweet Buckeye. A large 
tree. Leaves with 5-7 leaflets. Flowers in a short, dense panicle. 
Petals 4, long-clawed, in 2 unlike pairs, bending inward. Blades of 
the longer pair very small. Fruit smooth. 

Woods. April-May. 


FAMILY 53. SAPINDACEiE. Soapberry Family. 

Trees or shrubs, with watery sap, rarely herbaceous 
vines. Leaves alternate, mostly pinnate or palmate, with¬ 
out stipules. Flowers polygamo-dicecious, regular or 
slightly irregular. Calyx of 4 or 5 sepals. Petals 3-5. 
Stamens 5-10. Ovary 1, 2-4-lobed or entire, 2-4-celled, 
ovules 1 or more in each cell. Fruit a leathery or mem¬ 
branous capsule, or berry-like. 

I. SAPINDUS (Tourn.) L. 

Trees or shrubs, with alternate abruptly-pinnate 
leaves, and regular polygamo-dicecious flowers in terminal 
or axillary racemes or panicles. Sepals 4-5, imbricated 
in 2 rows. Petals 4-5, with a scale at the base. Stamens 
8-10, upon the hypogynous disk. Ovules with 2-4 cavities. 
Ovules 1 in each cavity. Fruit a globose berry with 1-3 
seeds. 

1. Sapindus Drummondii H. & A. Drummond’s Soapberry. 
Wild China-tree. A tree with maximum height of 50°. Leaflets 
4-9 pairs, obliquely-lanceolate, sharply-acuminate, entire, l%'-4' long. 
The rachis of the leaf not winged. Flowers white, in a long pan¬ 
icle. Fruit mostly globose, 4"-7" in diameter. 

River valleys and hillsides. Common. May-June. 

FAMILY 54. RHAMNACAEE. Buckthorn Family. 

Erect or climbing shrubs, or small trees, often thorny. 
Leaves simple with stipules, alternate, often 3-5-nerved. 
Inflorescence commonly of axillary or terminal cymes, cor¬ 
ymbs or panicles. Flowers small, regular, perfect or polyg- 


104 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


amous. Calyx tube 4-5, inserted with the petals and op¬ 
posite them. Anthers short, versatile. Ovary 2-5-celled. 
Ovules 1 in each cavity. Fruit a drupe or capsule. Seeds 
solitary in the cavities. 


I. CEANOTHUS L. 

Shrubs, leaves alternate-petioled. Flowers perfect, in 
terminal panicles or corymbs formed of little umbel-like 
clusters. Calyx tube top-shaped or hemispherical, with a 
5-lobed border. Petals 5, with hoods, on the slender claws. 
Stamens 5. Fruit dry, 3 lobed, splitting when ripe into 3 
carpels. 

1. Ceanothus americanus L. New Jersey Tea. Red-root. Leaves 
ovate or ovate-oblong, l'-3' long, acute or acuminate at the apex, 
obtuse or subcordate at the base, finely pubescent, serrate all around, 
strongly 3-nerved. Peduncles terminal and axillary. Fruit depressed, 
about 2" high, nearly black. 

Dry, open woods and prairies. Common. May-July. 


FAMILY 55. VITACEiE. Grape Family. 

Climbing, woody vines, with watery sap, with stem 
swollen at the insertion of the petioles, alternate, simple, 
or compound leaves with stipules, and small, regular, 
greenish, perfect or polygamo-dicecious flowers, in pan¬ 
icles, racemes, or cymes. Calyx entire or 4-5-toothed. 
Petals 4-5. Stamens 4-5, opposite the petals. Ovary 2-6- 
celled. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cavity. Fruit a 1-6 celled 
berry. 

Leaves not digitately compound. 

Petals united into a cap, falling away without sep¬ 
arating. I. Vitis. 

Petals separate, spreading. II. Ampelopsis. 

[Leaves digitately compound. III. Parthenocissus. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


105 


I. VITIS (Tourn.) L. 

Climbing woody vines, mostly with tendrils. Leaves 
simple, palmately-veined or lobed. Stipules small, decid¬ 
uous. Flowers mostly dioecious, or polygamo-dioecious, 
rarely perfect. Petals hypogynous or perigynous, often 
united at the apex, in a cap, and not expanding. Sta¬ 
mens inserted between the lobes of the disk. Ovary'usu¬ 
ally 2-celled, 4-ovuled. Fruit juicy 1-4 seeded. 

Leaves woolly beneath; twigs woolly or hairy. 

1. V. cinerea. 

Leaves glabrate, sometimes slightly pubescent when 
young. 

Leaves 3-7-lobed; lobes acute or acuminate. 

2. V. vulpina. 

Leaves sharply dentate, scarcely-lobed. 

Bark loose; pith interrupted by the solid nodes. 

High-climbing; leaves large, berries sour. 

3. V. cordifolia. 

Low; leaves small; berries sweet. 

4. V. rupestris. 

Bark close; pith continuous through the nodes. 

5. V. rotundi folia. 

1. Vitis cinerea Engelm. Downy Grape. Climbing, branches 
angled, young shoots and petioles mostly floccose-pubescent. Bark 
loose. Pith interrupted. Tendrils intermittent. Leaves dentate, or 
somewhat J3-lobed, rather densely floccose-pubescent. Inflorescent 
loose. Berries black, without bloom 3"-4" in diameter. Pleasantly 
acid. 

Common along streams. May-June. 

2. Vitis vulpina L. Sweet-Scented Grape. Climbing or trail¬ 
ing, glabrous throughout. Pith interrupted, the diaphragm thin. 
Tendrils intermittent. Leaves almost all sharply 3-7-lobed, the sin¬ 
uses angular, shining. Inflorescence compact or becoming loose. 
Berries bluish-black, with a bloom, 4"-5" in diameter, rather sweet. 

Along river banks. May-June. Lincoln County. 

3. Vitis cordifolia Michx. Frost Grape. High-climbing,- the 
twigs glabrous or slightly pubescent, terete or indistinctly angled. 
Pith interrupted by thick diaphragms. Internodes long. Tendrils 
intermittent. The stem sometimes 1° in diameter or more. Leaves 


106 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


glabrous, or sparingly pubescent on the veins, sharply and coarsely 
dentate with very acute teeth, sometimes slightly 3-lobed. Berries 
black, shining, about 3" in diameter, ripening after frost. 

Moist thickets and along streams. Common. May-June. 

4. Vitis rupestris Scheele. Sand or Sugar Grape. Low, bushy 
or sometimes climbing, glabrous or somewhat floccose-pubescent on 
the younger parts. Pith interrupted. Tendrils forked, intermittent 
or often wanting. Leaves pale green, shining, sharply dentate with 
coarse teeth, or sometimes incised, the sides often folded together. 
Berries black, with a bloom, sweet. 

Sandy banks and hills. April-June. 

5. Vitis rotundifolia Michx. Muscadine. Southern Fox Grape. 
Trailing or high-climbing, glabrous. Tendrils simple, intermittent. 
Bark close. Pith continuous through the nodes. Leaves nearly orb¬ 
icular, dark green, shining, dentate with large, triangular teeth. 
Berries few, purple, 5"-9" in diameter, without bloom, tough, musky. 

In moist, often sandy, soil. May. Payne and MeCurtain counties. 

II. AMPELOPSIS Michx. 

Climbing, woody vines or bushy, with few tendrils and 
firm tissues. Leaves alternate, simple and toothed, or 
lobed, or bi-pinnately compound. Flowers polygamo-dioe- 
cious or polygamo-moncecious. Petals 5, separate, spread¬ 
ing. Floral envelopes mostly in 5’s. Disk cup-shaped. 
Ovary 2-celled. Ovules 2 in each cavity. Berries 2-4 
seeded, the flesh thin, inedible. 

Leaves coarsely serrate, or slightly 3-lobed. 

1. A. cordata. 

Leaves bi-pinnately compound. 2. A. arborea. 

1. Ampelopsis cordata Michx. Simple-leaved Ampelopsis. Glab¬ 
rous, climbing, the branches nearly terete. Tendrils few or none. 
Leaves broadly ovate, coarsely serrate, glabrous on both sides. Pan¬ 
icles small, loose, with 2-3 main branches. Berries bluish, 2"-3" in 
diameter, inedible. 

Swamps and river-banks. May-June. Common. 

2. Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Rusby. Pepper-vine. Glabrous, 
bushy, sometimes climbing. Tendrils often wanting. Leaves bi-pin- 
nate, or the lowest tri-pinnate. Leaflets ovate or rhombic-ovate, 
sharply serrate. Panicles short, cymose. Berries black, depressed- 
globose, about 3" in diameter, inedible. 

In rich moist soil. May-July, Frequent in southern part of 

state. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


107 


III. PARTHENOCISSUS Planch. 

Trailing or climbing vines, with forking tendrils, whose 
tips often bear adhering disks, or sometimes merely coiling, 
with digitately-compound leaves, the leaflets 5-7. Flowers 
perfect or polygamo-dicecious, in compound cymes. Calyx 
pedicelled, petals 5, expanding, often early deciduous. Disk 
obsolete or wanting. Stamens 5. Ovary 2-celled. Ovules 
2 in each cavity. Berries with scant pulp, inedible. 

1. Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. Virginia Creeper. 
Iligh-clirabing or trailing, glabrous or pubescent. Tendrils usually 
numerous, and often provided with terminal, adhering expansions. 
Leaves petioled, digitately 5-foliolate. Leaflets stalked, oval or ob¬ 
long-lanceolate, coarsely toothed, at least above the middle. Panicle 
spreading. Berries blue, about 6" in diameter. Peduncles and ped¬ 
icels red. 

In woods and thickets. May-July. Common. 


FAMILY 56. TILIACEiE. Linden Family. 

Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves alternate, with 
stipules. Flowers perfect, in cymes, corymbs or panicles. 
Sepals 5. Petals 5 or fewer, or wanting. Stamens many, 
inserted on a swollen disk. Ovary 2-10-celled, with 1 or 
more ovules in each cell. Fruit 1-10-celled, dry or berry¬ 
like. 


I. TELIA (Tourn.) L. 

Trees, with serrate, cordate, mainly inequilateral 
leaves, and axillary or terminal, cymose, white or yellow¬ 
ish flowers. Sepals 5. Petals 5, spatulate, often with 
small scales at the base. Stamens many, in 5 groups. 
Ovary 5-celled, with 3 ovules in each cell. Stigma 5- 
toothed. Capsule 1-celled, 1-2-seeded. 

1. Tilia americana L. Bass-wood. American Linden. A large 
tree. Leaves large, green, glabrous or nearly so, usually cordate, 
2'-5' wide. Floral bract usually tapering or stalked at tlm base, 
fruit ovoid, obscurely ribbed, 4 "- 5 " in diameter. 

In rich woods. May-June. Eastern part of state. 


108 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 57. MALVACEAE. Mallow Family. 

Herbs or shrubs, with alternate, mostly palmately- 
veined leaves. Stipules small, deciduous. Flowers regu¬ 
lar, perfect, often large, rarely dioecious or polygamous. 
Calyx of 5, more or less united valvate sepals. Petals 5, 
hypogynous, convolute. Stamens many, monadelphous, 
forming a central column around the pistil, united with 
the bases of the petals. Ovary several-celled, entire or 
lobed. Fruit capsular, several-celled. Seeds reniform, 
globose or obovoid. 

Stigmas linear, on the inner side of the style-branches. 

Carpels beakless, petals obcordate. I. Maiva. 

Carpels beaked; petals truncate. II. Callirhoe. 

Stigmas capitate, terminal. III. Malvastrum. 


I. MALVA (Tourn.) L. 

Pubescent or glabrate herbs, with dentate, lobed, or 
dissected leaves, and axillary or terminal, solitary or 
clustered, perfect flowers. Calyx 5 cleft. Bractlets of 
the involucels 3. Petals 5. Stamen-column anther-bear¬ 
ing at the summit. Cavities of the ovary several or nu¬ 
merous, 1-ovuled. Carpels arranged in a circle, 1-seeded, 
beakless. Seed ascending. 

1. Maiva rot undifolia L. Cheeses. Stems procumbent from a 
deep biennial root, leaves round-heart-shaped, on very long petioles, 
crenate, obscurely lobed. Petals twice the length of the calyx, whit¬ 
ish. Carpels pubescent, even. 

In waste places. April-November. Oklahoma County. 

II. CALLIRHOE Nutt. 

Herbs, with lobed or divided leaves, and showy, axil¬ 
lary or terminal, perfect flowers. Bractlets of the in- 
volucel 1-3. Calyx deeply 5-parted. Petals cuneate, trun¬ 
cate, often toothed or fimbriate. Stamen-column anther¬ 
bearing at the summit. Cavities of the ovary many, 1- 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


109 


ovuled. Carpels 10-20, arranged in a circle, 1-seeded, beaked 
at the apex, the beak separated from the cavity by a septum. 
Seed ascending. 


Perennials or biennials. 
Involucels present. 

Involucels wanting. 

Lower petioles strigose. 

Lower petioles hirsute. 

Annual. 


1. C. involucrata. 

2. C. alceoides. 
3. C. digitata. 
4. C. pedata. 


1. Callirhoe involucrata (T. & G.) A. Gray. Purple Poppy 
Mallow. Perennial. Stems procumbent or ascending. Leaves round- 
heart-shaped, palmately lobed or cut. Involucel 3-leaved. Peduncles 
long, slender, and 1-flowered. Flowers reddish-purple, l'-2 y 2 ' broad. 
Carpels rugose-reticulate. 

In dry soil. April-August. Common. 

2. Callirhoe alceoides (Michx.) A. Gray. Light Poppy Mallow. 
Perennial. Stems rather slender, 8'-20' high, covered with close- 
lying stiff hairs. Basal leaves triangular-heart-shaped, palmately- 
lobed or incised. Stem leaves palmately divided. Involucel none. 
Flowers pink or white, about 1' broad. Carpels strigose-pubescent 
and conspicuously rugose-reticulate on the back. 

In dry soil. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

3. Callirhoe digitata Nutt. Fringed Poppy Mallow. Resembling 
the preceding species. Sparingly hirsute or glabrous, erect. Leaves 
few, round-cordate, 5-7-parted, the cauline commonly with linear 
divisions. Peduncles sub-racemose, long, filiform. Flowers red-purple 
to white. 

In dry soil. April-July. Frequent. 

4. Callirhoe pedata A. Gray. Tall Poppy Mallow. Annual, 
strigillose or glabrate. Stems 12'-36' tall, simple or branched. Leaves 
suborbicular in outline, palmate 3-5-lobed, cleft or parted, entire or 
toothed. Flowers red-purple or sometimes lilac. Petals 10"-14" 
long, erose at the tip. Carpels slightly wrinkled on the sides. 

In dry soil and hillsides. May-August. Payne and Comanche 
counties. 


III. MALVASTRUM A. Gray. 

Herbs, with entire, cordate or divided leaves, and axil¬ 
lary or terminal, solitary or racemose, short-pedicelled, per¬ 
fect flowers. Calyx 5-cleft. Bractlets of the involucels 


110 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


small, 1-3 or none. Stamen column anther-bearing at the 
apex. Cavities of the ovary 5-many, 1-ovuled. Carpels in- 
dehiscent, their apices pointed or beaked. Seeds ascend¬ 
ing. 

1. Malvastrum coccineum (Pursh.) A. Gray. Red False Mal¬ 
low. Perennial, erect or ascending, 4'-10' high, densely silvery stell¬ 
ate-pubescent. Lower leaves ovate-orbicular in outline, slender-peti- 
oled, the uppermost nearly sessile, all palmately 3-5-parted. Flowers 
red (various shades), 6"-9" broad, in dense, short, terminal, spicate 
racemes. Bractlets of the involucre none. Carpels 10-15, rugose- 
reticulated, indehiscent, 1-seeded. 

Frequent on prairies. April-August. Woods. Kingfisher, Okla¬ 
homa and Caddo counties. 


FAMILY 58. VIOLACEJE. Violet Family. 

Herbs, with simple, alternate leaves, with stipules. 
Calyx of 5 persistent sepals. Corolla of 5 petals, some¬ 
what zygomorphic. One petal with a spur. Stamens 5, 
short, the filaments often united around the pistil. Style 
generally club-shaped, with a one-sided stigma, with an 
opening leading to its interior. Pod 1-celled, splitting 
into 3 valves, each bearing a placenta. The seeds are 
often dispersed by the splitting of the elastic valves. 

Sepals more or less prolonged posteriorly. I. Viola. 

Sepals not prolonged posteriorly. II. Calceolaria. 

I. VIOLA (Tourn.) L. 

Herbs, either leafy-stemmed or stemless. Petalifer- 
ous flowers, mostly in early spring, succeeded by cleistog- 
amous flowers, bearing abundant seed. Stamens 5 in 
the petaliferous flower, the two lowest with appendages 
that project into the spur or nectar sac of the odd petal, 
these two stamens alone developed in the cleistogamous 
flower. Hybridize freely. 

Plants stemless; leaves and scapes from a rootstock or 
from runners. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


111 


Petals all beardless: apetalous flowers wanting. 

1. V. pedata. 

Lateral petals bearded: apetalous flowers present. 
Cleistogamous flowers ovoid, on short, prostrate 
peduncles, their capsules usually brown. 
Earliest and latest leaf-blades uncut, others ped- 
ately 3-7-lobed, parted, or divided; seeds gen¬ 
erally buff. 2. V. triloba. 

Leaf-blades all uncut. 3. V. papilionacea. 

Cleistogamous flowers, subulate or sagittate, on erect 
peduncles, their capsules green; foliage nearly 
glabrous. 4. V. sagittata. 

Plants with leafy stems: flowers axillary. 

Style capitate, beakless; spur short; stipules nearly 
entire, soon scarious; petals yellow outside. 

5. V. eriocarpa. 

Style much enlarged upward into a globose, hollow 
summit; stipules large, leaf-like, pectinate at base. 
Upper leaf-blades entire, or obscurely crenulate; 
petals twice the length of the sepals. 

6. V. Rafinesquii. 

Upper leaves and middle lobe of stipules plainly 
crenate; petals large, 2-3 times as long as the 
sepals. 7. V. tricolor. 

1. Viola pedata L. Bird’s-foot Violet. Nearly glabrous. Leaves 
3-divided, the lateral divisions palmately 3-parted or cleft, the seg¬ 
ments linear or spatulate, often 2-4-cleft or toothed near the apex. 
Corolla 9"-21" broad, the upper petals dark violet, the 3 lower lilac- 
purple, all beardless. Cleistogamous flowers wanting. 

In dry fields and open woods. April-June. Eastern part of state. 

2. Viola triloba Schwein. Three-lobed Violet. Earliest and 
late summer leaves usually with uncut blades, reniform, cordate. 
Those unfolding at flowering time, 3-lobed, the middle segment broad, 
the lateral divaricate, often coarsely toothed or cleft. Petals deep 
violet. Cleistogamous capsules ovoid. Seeds buff or brown. 

Dry woodlands. April-May. Eastern part of state. One speci¬ 
men in University of Oklahoma Herbarium. 

3. Viola papilionacea Pursh. Meadow or common Blue Violet. 
Plants usually glabrous, from a stout, horizontal-branching root- 


112 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


stock. Blades often 5' broad, reniform or ovate, cordate, acute or 
sometimes abruptly pointed. Scapes shorter than the leaves. Corolla 
deep violet, white or greenish-yellow at the center, sometimes wholly 
white. Capsules ellipsoid, green or dark purple, 5"-7" long, seeds 
1" long, dark brown. 

Moist fields and groves. April-May. Frequent. 

4. Viola sagittate. Ait. Arrow-leaved Violet. Glabrous or fine¬ 
ly pubescent. Petioles commonly longer than the blades. Blades 
lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, l%'-4' long, distantly and obscurely- 
toothed above the middle, hastately or sagittately-toothed or cleft at 
the base. Earliest and latest leaves deltoid ovate, merely crenate at 
the base. Corolla violet-purple. Capsules 4"-7" long, containing 
50-70 brown seeds. 

Moist banks and fields. April-May. Lincoln-Oleveland counties. 

5. Viola eriocarpa Schwein. Smoothish Yellow Violet. Pub¬ 
escent on the upper part of stem and on the lower surface of leaves 
along veins. Blades ovate to reniform, cordate or truncate, mostly 
pointed. Cauline leaves only on the upper half of the stem, broadly 
ovate, subcordate. Lateral petals bearded. Capsule woolly or some¬ 
times glabrous. 

Seeds brown, a little more than 1" long. 

In low, open woods. May-July. Cleveland County. 

6. Viola Rafinesquii Greene. Field Pansy. Glabrous, annual 
with slender stem, 3'-8' high, often branched from the base. Leaves 
small, the lowermost 3"-5" wide, suborbicular, on slender petioles, 
the upper obovate to linear-oblanceolate, sparingly crenulate. Flow¬ 
ers small, yellowish-white to bluish-white. Seeds light brown, 
long. 

In fields and open woods. March-May. Common. 

7. Viola tricolor L. Pansy. Heart’s Ease. Glabrous or pub¬ 
escent, 4'-12' high. Stem angled and often branched. Upper leaves 
oval or lanceolate 6"-12" long, the lower ovate, often cordate, all 
crenate-serrate. Stipules foliaceous, laciniate or lyrate-pinnatifid. 
Flowers 8"-12" broad, variously colored with yellow, purple or white. 

In waste places and cultivated. April-July. 

II. CALCEOLARIA Loefl. 

Herbs, rarely shrubs, with mostly opposite leaves, and 
axillary or racemose flowers. Sepals somewhat unequal. 
Petals unequal, the lower one longest, gibbous or saccate at 
the base, the two upper shorter then the lateral ones. 
Filaments distinct, the lower spurred or glandular. Cap¬ 
sule elastically 3-valved. Seeds ovoid-globose. 

1. Calceolaria verticillata (Ort.) Kuntze. Nodding Violet. 
Stems clustered, ascending or erect, slightly pubescent, 4'-15' high. 
Leaves alternate, often fascicled. Blades linear, 9"-20" long. Stip- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


113 


ules subulate or wanting. Flowers solitary, white, nodding, 2"-3" 
long. Capsule obovoid, 2" long. Seeds nearly 1" long. 

In dry soil. April-July. Wichita Mountains. 


FAMILY 59. PASSIFLORACE^E Passion-Flower 
Family. 

Vines, climbing by tendrils, or erect herbs, with alter- 
nate-petioled, usually palmately-lobed leaves, and solitary 
or clustered, perfect, regular flowers. Calyx-tube short or 
elongated, persistent. Petals usually 5, inserted on the 
throat of the calyx, distinct, or in some species united. 
Stamens 5. Throat of the calyx crowned with a double or 
triple fringe. Filaments subulate or filiform, monadel- 
phous, or separate. Ovary free from the calyx, 1-celled. 
Placentae 3-5, parietal. Styles 1-5. Fruit a berry or cap¬ 
sule, usually many-seeded. 

I. PASSIFLORA L. 

Climbing, tendril-bearing, herbaceous, or woody vines, 
with lobed, parted, or entire-alternate or rarely opposite 
leaves, and large, showy, axillary flowers, on jointed, often 
bracted peduncles. Calyx-tube cup-shaped or campanulate, 
deeply 4-5 lobed, the lobes narrow, its throat crowned with 
a double or triple fringe called the corona. Petals 4 or 5, 
inserted on the throat of the calyx. Ovary oblong, stalked. 
Filaments monadelphous in a .tube around the stalk of the 
ovary, separate above. Fruit a many-seeded berry. 

1. Passiflora incarnata L. Passion-flower. Twigs finely pub¬ 
escent or glabrate. Leaf-blades long, glabrous or sparingly 

pubescent, the lobes finely serrate. Petals pale lavender. Crown 
lavender and purple. Berries oblong or oval, l%'-4' long. 

Dry soil. April-September. Oklahoma to McCurtain county. 


114 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 60. LOASACEiE. Loasa Family. 

Herbaceous plants, with either stinging or jointed and 
rough-barbed hairs, no stipules, calyx-tube adnate to a 
1-celled ovary, parietal placentae, and a single style. 
Stamens usually very numerous, some of the outer occa¬ 
sionally petaloid. Flowers perfect, often showy. 

I. MENTZELIA L. 

Erect herbs, mostly annuals, with alternate, entire, lobed 
or pinnatifid leaves, and terminal, solitary, or cymose flow¬ 
ers. Calyx-tube cylindric, linear or club-shaped. Petals 
5, spreading, deciduous. Stamens 20-100. Ovary 1-celled. 
Styles 3, more or less united. Capsule few-many-seeded. 
Seeds mostly prismatic, roughened or striate. 

1. Mentzelia oligosperma Nutt. Few-seeded Mentzelia. Rough 
ancl viscid-pubescent. Leaves ovate or oval, coarsely dentate or sin¬ 
uate. Flowers yellow, 5"-10" broad, axillary or somewhat cymose, 
opening in snshine. Capsule linear, 6"-8" long. Calyx lobes about 
3" long, persistent on the capsule. 

Prairies and plains. May-July. Oklahoma and Comanche coun¬ 
ties. 


FAMILY 61. LYTHARACEiE. Loosestrife Family. 

Herbs or shrubs, mostly with opposite leaves and solitary 
or clustered, mostly axillary, perfect flowers. Stipules 

usually none. Calyx persistent, free from the ovary and 

% 

capsule but inclosing it, the petals and definite stamens 
borne in its throat, a single style, and numerous small 
seeds on a central placenta. 

I. AMMANNIA (Houst.) L. 

Annual, glabrous or glabrate herbs, mostly with 4- 
angled stems, opposite, sessile, narrow leaves, and small, 
axillary, solitary or cymose flowers. Calyx campanulate, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


115 


globose or ovoid, 4-angled, 4-toothed, often with small ap¬ 
pendages in the sinuses. Petals 4. Stamens 4-8 inserted 
on the calyx-tube. Ovary enclosed in the calyx-tube, nearly 
globular, 2-4-celled. 

1. Animannia auriculata Willd. Wright’s Ammannia. Erect, 
at length widely branching. Leaves sessile, linear-lanceolate or 
oblong, auriculate at the base. Flowers in axillary, peduncled cymes. 
Petals purple. Capsule partly enclosed by the calyx. 

Low ground. May-June. Frequent. 


FAMILY 62. ONAGRACEiE. Evening Primrose Family. 

Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite or al¬ 
ternate, without stipules. Flowers actinomorphic. Limb 
of the calyx epigynous, 2-4-lobed. Petals 2-4, rarely want¬ 
ing, quickly falling off. Stamens 1-8. Ovary usually 4- 
celled. Style thread-like. Stigma entire or 4-lobed. 
Ovules 1 or more in the inner angle of each cell. Fruit 
a capsule, berry, or drupe. Seeds 1 or more, smooth or 
hairy. 


Key to Genera of Onagraceae. 

1. Fruit a many-seeded capsule, opening by valves or 
by a pore. 

Stamens equal in length. 

Stigma deeply 4-cleft, its segments linear. 

I. Raimannia. 

Stigma entire or slightly 4 toothed. 

Calyx-tube longer than the ovary; stigma disk¬ 
like, entire. VI. Galpinsia. 

Calyx-tube shorter than the ovary; stigma disk¬ 
like, slightly 4-toothed. VII. Meriolix. 


116 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Stamens unequal in length, the alternate longer. 

Ovules and seeds many, on slender funiculi; cap¬ 
sules club-shaped. 

Flowers yellow. II. Kneiffia. 

Flowers white, pink, or reddish. 

III. Hartmannia. 

Ovules or seeds few, sessile, in 1 or 2 rows. 

Plants normally acaulescent. IV. Lavauxia. 

Plants caulescent. V. Megapterium. 

2. Fruit indehiscent, nut-like. 

Calyx-tube obconic; filaments with scales at the base; 

ovary 4-celled. VIII. Gaura. 

I. RAIMANNIA Rose. 

Usually low, annual, biennial, or perennial caulescent 
herbs, with prostrate or erect stems. Leaves alternate, 
sinuate, or pinnatifid. Flowers perfect, yellow, axillary, 
or sometimes in terminal spikes, nocturnal. Calyx-tube 
elongated. Calyx-segments 4, finally reflexed. Petals 4, 
spreading. Stamens 8. Ovary 4-celled, elongated. Stig¬ 
ma deeply 4-cleft. Ovules numerous, in 2 rows. Capsule 
usually cylindric. Seeds numerous, in 2 rows, terete, 
crowned by a tubercle. 

1. Rainiannia laciniata (Hill.) Rose. Cut-leaved Evening- 
Primrose. Decumbent or ascending, simple or sometimes branched, 
glabrous or sparingly hirsute-pubescent. Leaves sessile or the lower 
petioled, oval-lanceolate, or oblanceolate, sinuate-dentate, or often 
pinnatifid. Flowers axillary, 5"-15" broad. Calyx lobes reflexed, 
much shorter than the slender tube. Capsule linear, long, 

more or less pubescent, straight or curved upward. Seeds strongly 
pitted. 

In dry, shady soil. May-June. Common. 

Yar. grandis Biritton. With larger flowers. Petals l'-l%' long. 
Frequent in sandy fields. May-June. 

II. KNEIFFIA Spach. 

Annual or perennial, caulescent, often shrubby herbs. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


117 


Leaves alternate, mostly narrow, entire or shallowly 
toothed. Buds erect. Flowers yellow, diurnal, in termi¬ 
nal spikes or racemes. Sepals narrow. Ovary usually 
club-shaped, 4-angled. Stigma 4-cleft. Ovules numerous, 
on slender stalks, in many rows. Capsule club-shaped, 
4-winged or rarely sharply 4-angled. Seeds not angled, 
without a tubercle. 

1. Kneiffia linifolia (Nutt.) Spach. Thread-leaved Sundrops. 
Erect, simple or diffuse, glabrous below and finely pubescent above. 
Stem-leaves filiform-linear, entire, crowded. Basal leaves tufted, 
oblanceolate or spatulate, petioled. Flowers in loose, spike-like ra¬ 
cemes, yellow, diurnal, 3"-4" broad. Capsule obovoid, sessile or very 
nearly so, puberulent, sharply 4-sided but not winged. 

Dry soil. May-July. Lincoln County. 

III. HARTMANNIA Spach. 

Annual or perennial, caulescent herbs with branched 
stems. Leaves alternate, commorily pinnatifid, or lyrate. 
Buds drooping. Flowers perfect, white, red or purple, 
diurnal, in terminal spikes or racemes. Calyx-tube 
funnel-form. Petals 4, spreading. Stamens 8. Ovary 
elongated, 4-celled. Stigma 4-cleft, ovules numerous, on 
slender stalks, in many rows. Capsule club-shaped, 4- 
winged, sessile or stalked. Seeds numerous, not tuber- 
culate. 

1. Hartmannia speciosa (Nutt.) Small. Showy Primrose. 
Erect, perennial, puberulent or finely pubescent. Stem-leaves lance¬ 
olate or linear-lanceolate, sinuate or pinnatifid. Basal leaves slender- 
petioled, oval or oval-lanceolate, repand or pinnatifid at the base. 
Flowers white or pink. broad, loosely spicate. Capsule 

club-shaped, strongly 4-ribbed, 4-winged, pubescent, 6"-9" long. 

Prairies. April-June. Common. 

IV. LAVAUXIA Spach. 

Low, usually acaulescent herbs. Leaves mostly basal, 
pinnatifid, numerous. Flowers perfect, white, pink, or 
pale yellow. Calyx-tube slender, dilated at the throat. 
Petals 4. spreading. Stamens 8. Ovary short, 4-angled. 
Stigma 4-cleft. Ovules few. Capsules stout, their angles 
sometimes winged above. Seeds few. 


118 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Leaves membranous; capsules beaked, glabrate. 

1. L. triloba. 

Leaves leathery; capsules hardly beaked, pubescent. 

2. L. brachycarpa. 

1. Lavauxia triloba (Nutt.) Spach. Three-lobed Primrose. 
Perennial, nearly glabrous throughout. Leaves basal. Blades ob¬ 
long-lanceolate in outline, 3'-12' long, runcinate-pinnatifid or sin¬ 
uate, sometimes ciliate. Cdrolla white or pink, l'-2broad. Petals 
often 3-lobed. Capsules ovoid, 4-wing-angled, reticulate-veined. 

In dry soil. May-July. 

2. Lavauxia brachycarpa (A. Gray) Britton. Short-podded 
Primrose. Low, perennial, acaulescent, softly canescent. Leaves 
basal, leathery, ovate or nearly oblong, 3'-9' long, lyrate-pinnatifid, 
or sometimes nearly entire. Flowers yellow, basal. Calyx canescent, 
its tube 2'-4' long, gradually dilated upward. Petals l'-llong. 
Capsules elliptic, 8"-9" long, leathery or corky, the angles very thin. 

Prairies. April-July. Oklahoma and Murray counties. 

V. MEGAPTERIUM Spach. 

Low, perennial herbs with stout, spreading stems. 
Leaves numerous, alternate, narrow, entire or slightly 
toothed. Flowers perfect, few, but large and showy, axil¬ 
lary, yellow. Calyx-tube much elongated, dilated towards 
the throat. Petals 4, spreading. Stamens 8. Ovary 4- 
celled, 4-angled or 4-winged. Stigma 4-cleft. Ovules few, 
sessile in rows. Capsule broadly 4-winged. Seeds few, 
crested. 

1. Megapterium missouriensis (Sims) Spach. Missouri Prim¬ 
rose. Stems decumbent or ascending, glabrous, 6'-12' long, leaves 
thick, linear-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, narrowed at the base 
into a slender petiole, entire or remotely denticulate. Flowers 3'-6' 
broad. The calyx tube 2'-6' long. Capsule short-stalked, nearly 
orbicular, very broadly winged, glabrate in our species. 

Dry soil. May-July. Frequent. 

2. Megapterium missouriensis. Var incana Gray, with stems and 
leaves densely silvery canescent. Specimens collected on the lime¬ 
stone hills N. E. of Medicine Park and east of Apache. We believe 
these to be the largest and showiest of Oklahoma’s spring flowers. 


VI. GALPINSIA Britton. 

Perennial herbs or shrubby plants, with branched stems. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


119 


Leaves alternate, entire or toothed. Flowers perfect, yel¬ 
low, axillary. Calyx-tube slender, narrowly funnel-form, 
longer than the ovary. Petals 4, spreading. Stamens 8. 
Ovary 4-celled, elongated. Stigma disk-like, entire. Cap¬ 
sule elongated, narrowed at the base, curved. Seeds some¬ 
times tuberculate. 

1. Galpinsia Hartwegii (Benth.) Britton. Galpinsia. Stems 
more or less branched, but not densely tufted, mostly 8'-16' tall. 
Blades linear, 5"-15" long, entire, or slightly repand-denticulate. 
Calyx-tube elongated, gradually dilated. Petals 8"-14" long. Cap¬ 
sule narrowly cylindric, 6"-12" long. 

Plains and prairies. April-Fall. Kingfisher and Grady counties. 

VII. MERIOLIX Raf. 

Biennial or perennial herbs with branched stems, some¬ 
times becoming shrubby. Leaves alternate, narrow, entire, 
or sharply serrate. Flowers perfect, regular, axillary, yel¬ 
low. Calyx-tube funnel-form, shorter than the ovary. 
Calyx-segments narrow, keeled on the back, Petals 4, often 
blotched at the base. Stamens 8. Ovary 4-celled, 4-angled. 
Stigma disk-like, 4-toothed. Ovules numerous. Capsule 
linear, 4-angled, 4-celled, sessile. Seeds longitudinally 
grooved. 

1. Meriolix serrulata (Nutt.) Walt. Tooth-leaved Primrose. 
Erect, simple or branched, canescent or glabrate, 4'-18' high. Leaves 
linear-oblong, lanceolate or oblanceolate, usually sessile, sharply den¬ 
tate or denticulate, l'-3' long, 2"-3" wide. Flowers yellow, axillary, 
6"-2' broad. Calyx-tube funnel-form, silvery canescent. Petals ob- 
ovate, crenulate. Stigma discoid. Capsule sessile, linear-cylindric, 
silvery canescent, 8"-15" long, about 1" thick, slightly grooved longi¬ 
tudinally. 

In dry soil. May-July. Common. 


VIII. GAURA L. 

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, somewhat woody at 
the base, with alternate, narrow, sessile leaves, and white, 
pink, or red flowers in terminal spikes or racemes. Calyx 
usually pubescent, 4-lobed, the lobes reflexed. Petals 4, 
clawed, unequal. Stamens 8, declined. Ovary 1-celled. 
Stigma 4-lobed, surrounded by a cup-like border. Ovules 


120 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


usually 4, pendulous. Fruit nut-like, ribbed or angled, 1-4- 
seeded. Seeds unappendaged. 

Fruit mainly 3-angled, the base and angles rounded. 

1. G. tripetala. 

Fruit contracted into a slender or stout neck-like or 
pedicil-'like base. 

Pedicel-like base of the fruit very stout and short, 
angled or ribbed, but less so than the body of the 
fruit. 2. G. coccinea. 

Pedicel-like base of the fruit relatively slender and 
long. 3. G. sinuata. 

1. Gaura tripetala Cav. Stem simple or branched at the base, the 
branches 12'-20' tall, hirsute. Leaf blades relatively thick, spatu- 
late to oblong, or linear-elliptic, l'-2' long, acute or slightly acumi¬ 
nate, shallowly but sometimes rather sharply toothed. Spikes elon¬ 
gated. Buds more or less pubescent. Petals 3"-4" long. Fruit 
pyramidal with the base rounded, mostly 3-angled, 3"-4" long, the 
faces somewhat transverse-wrinkled. 

On plains and prairies. April-July. Oklahoma County. 

2. Gaura coccinea Pursh. Scarlet Gaura. Erect or ascend¬ 
ing, much branched, canescent, pubescent or glabrate, 6'-24' high. 
Leaves oblong, lanceolate or linear-oblong, denticulate, repand or 
entire, 6"-18" long, 2"-4" wide. Flowers sessile, red, turning scar¬ 
let, 4"-5" broad. Fruit sessile, terete below, 4-sided and narrowed 
above, canescent, 3"-4" long. 

Prairies and dry soil. Frequent. M|ay-August. 

3. Gaura sinuata Nutt. Wavy-leaved Gaura. Perennial, 
erect or decumbent, glabrous or sparingly villous. Stem 12'-36' 
tall, usually naked above. Leaves oblanceolate to lanceolate or 
nearly linear, sinuate-toothed, l'-3' long. Calyx- slightly pubescent, 
its tube funnel-form, l"-2" long. Petals oblong-obovate, 4"-5" long. 
Stamens shorter than the petals. Fruit about 7" long, glabrous, 4- 
ribbed and 4-grooved above the stout club-shaped pedicel. 

In dry soil. May-July. Common. 


FAMILY 63. AMMIACE^E. Carrot Family. 

Herbs, usually with hollow, grooved stems. Flowers 
small, generally in umbels. Limb of the calyx either 
wanting or present only as a 5-toothed rim or margin 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


121 


around the top of the ovary. Petals 5. Stamens 5, in¬ 
serted on the disk, which is borne by the ovary. Ovary 
2-celled and 2-ovuled, ripening into 2 achene-like carpels, 
which separate from each other. Each carpel bears 5 
longitudinal ribs, in the farrows, between which sec¬ 
ondary ribs frequently occur. Fruit either flattened lat- 
'erally (at right angles to the commissure), or dorsally 
(parallel to the commissure), or nearly terete (not flat¬ 
tened). Pericarp membranous or corky-thickened, usu¬ 
ally containing oil-tubes between the ribs or under the 
ribs, and on the commissural side. Oil-tubes sometimes 
irregularly scattered, sometimes none. 

I. Fruit ribless, covered with hooked prickles. 

I. Sanicula. 

II. Fruit ribbed, at least its beak, the ribs rarely ob¬ 
solete. Fruit not bristly. II. Chaerophyllum. » 

A. Fruit much flattened dorsally, parallel with the 
commissure. Aculscent or nearly so. 

III. Cogswellia. 

B. Leafy-stemmed; stylopodium conic or depressed. 

IV. Pleiotaenia. 

0. Fruit not flattened, or flattened laterally (at 
right angles to the commissure). 

1. Petals white, greenish-white or rarely pinkish. 

a. Fruit nearly terete, not flattened either lat¬ 
erally or dorsally, or very slightly flattened. 

V. Cynosciadium. 

b. Fruit laterally flattened. 

Fruit tubercled or bristly. 

Seed-face concave. VI. Spermolepis. 

Seed-face flat. VII. Ammoselinum. 


122 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Fruit smooth, neither tubercled nor bristly. 

VIII. Ptilimnium. 


I. SANICULA L. 

Perennial or biennial, mostly glabrous herbs, with 
alternate, palmately 3-7-foliolate or pinnatifid leaves, 
and small, yellowish, white, or purplish, perfect and stam- 
inate flowers in compound few-rayed umbels. Umbellets 
globose. Involucre few-leaved, foliaceous. Calyx-lobes 
membranous. Petals obovate, or narrower, incurved at 
the apex, emarginate. Disk flat. Fruit somewhat flat¬ 
tened laterally, sub-globose, covered with hooked bristles. 
Carpels not ribbed. Oil-tubes usually 5. 

Petals and anthers greenish-white; calyx-segments 
lanceolate, cuspidate; fruit 3" long. 

1. S. marylandica. 

Petals and anthers yellow; calyx-lobes ovate, obtuse; 
fruit 1%" long, or less. 2. S. gregaria. 

1. Sauicula marylandica L. Black Snake-root. Stem erect, 
18'-48' high. Leaves 5-7 parted, the divisions sharply serrate, acute, 
Sterile flowers pedicellate, often in separate umbels. Fruit sessile, 
ovoid, 3" long. Oil tubes 5, large. 

In rich woods. May-July. 

2. Sanicula gregaria Bicknell. Clustered Snake-root. Stem 
slender, 12'-36' tall, umbellately-branched. Leaves 5-foliolate. Leaf¬ 
lets obovate, cleft and serrate. Fruit l%"-2" long. Oil-tubes 5, 
small. 

In moist woods. May-June. 

II. CHiEROPHYLLUM (Tourn.) L. 

Annual herbs, with ternately or pinnately decompound 
leaves and small, compound umbels of white flowers. In¬ 
volucre none or, rarely, of 1-2 bracts. Involucels of nu¬ 
merous, small bracts. Calyx-teeth obsolete. Petals inflexed 
at the apex. Stylopodium small, conic. Fruit oblong or 
linear-oblong, glabrous or pubescent, flattened laterally. 
Carpels 5-angled, slightly flattened dorsally. Oil-tubes 
mostly solitary in the intervals. Seed-face channeled. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


123 


Fruit not beaked, its ribs slender, narrower than the 
intervals between them. 1. C. procumbens. 

Fruit beaked, its prominent ribs mostly as broad as the 
intervals. 2. C. Teinturieri. 

1. Chaerophyllum procumbeus (L.) Crantz. Spreading Chervil. 
More or less pubescent, slender, spreading or erect, 6'-20' high. Leaves 
ternately decompound, the lower petioled, the upper nearly sessile. 
Fruit glabrous or minutely pubescent, oblong or linear-oblong, 2"-2 1 / 4" 
long. 

In moist ground. April-June. Common. 

2. Chaerophyllum Teinturieri Hook. Teinturier’s Chervil. 
Similar to the preceding species, much branched, and often taller. 
Fruit 3"-4" long, less than 1" wide, narrowed above into a distinct 
beak. 

In dry soil. March-May. 

III. COGSWELLIA Spreng. 

Perennial herbs, acaulescent or nearly so, from thick, 
fusiform or tuberous roots, with ternate, pinnate, or bi- 
pinnate, finely dissected leaves, and compound umbels of 
white or yellow flowers. Involucre none. Calyx-teeth most¬ 
ly obsolete. Stylopodium depressed or none. Fruit oval, 
oblong, or orbicular, glabrous or pubescent, dorsally com¬ 
pressed. Carpels with filiform, dorsal, and intermediate 
ribs, the lateral ones' broadly winged. Oil-tubes 1-4 in the 
intervals, 2-10 on the commissural side. Seed-face flat or 
slightly concave. 

1. CogswiePi^ daucifofia (Nutt.) M, E. Jones. Carrot-leaved 
Parsley. Foliage tomentose, becoming less dense in age. Peduncles 
4'-10' high, usually exceeding the leaves. Taproot stout. Leaves 
finely dissected into short, linear or filiform lobes. Rays of the 
umbel %'-l' long. Flowers yellow. Fruit broadly oval, glabrous, 
about 3" long. Oil tubes 1-3 in the intervals. 

Prairies. March-April. Common. 

IV. PLEITAENIA Coult. & Rose. 

Perennial, nearly glabrous herbs, with pinnately-decom- 
pound leaves, and compound umbels of yellow flowers. In¬ 
volucre none. Involucels of a few subulate, pubescent, de¬ 
ciduous bracts. Calyx-teeth prominent, triangular. Petals 


124 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


obovate-cuneate, with long, incurved tip. Stylopodium 
none. Fruit oval or obovate, much flattened dorsally, thick 
and corky. Oil-tubes 12-18. Seed flat. 

1. Pleiotaenla Nuttallii (DC.) Coult. & Rose. Nuttall’s Prai¬ 
rie Parsley. Foliage nearly glabrous. Stem 12'-36' high. Roots 
fusiform. Leaves pinnate, the segments deeply pinnatifid or parted, 
l'-3' long. Umbels 6-12 rayed. Pedicels finely pubescent, l"-2" long. 
Fruit glabrous, 3"-5" long. 

In dry soil. April-May. Common. 


V. CYNOSCIADIUM DC. 

Glabrous, slender, branching annuals, the lower and 
basal leaves mostly linear and entire, those of the stem 
mainly divided into few linear segments. Involucres and 
involucels of several subulate or narrowly-linear bracts. 
Flowers small, white, in terminal and lateral-compound 
umbels. Calyx-teeth short. Fruit ovoid, or oblong, nearly 
terete, glabrous, strongly ribbed, the lateral ribs larger. 
Oil-tubes solitary in the intervals and 2 on the commissural 
side of each carpel. Seed-face flat. 

1. Cyiiosciadium pinnatum DC. Pinnate Cynosciadium. Stems 
erect or decumbent, 12'-24' high. Basal leaves entire, or pinnately 
divided. Stem-leaves pinnately divided nearly to the midvein into 
3-9 narrowly linear entire segments, the terminal segment much 
longer than the lateral ones. Umbels 4-10 rayed. Fruit about 2" 
long, less tha^ 1" wide, crowned by the ovate calyx-teeth. 

In wet soil. May-August. Cleveland County. 


VI. SPERMOLEPIS Raf. 

Annual herbs, with erect, slender, branching stems. 
Leaves alternate, dissected into narrow segments. Flowers 
very small, white, in compound unequal-rayed umbels. In¬ 
volucre none. Involucels of a few, small, narrow bracts. 
Calyx-teeth obsolete. Fruit ovate, laterally flattened, tuber- 
culate or bristly. Oil-tubes solitary in the intervals, 2 on 
the commissural side. Stylopodium short, conic. 

Umbel-rays divaricate. 1. S. divaricatus. 

Umbel-rays ascending. 2. S. patens. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


125 


!• Spermolepis divaricatus (Walt.) Britton. Rough-fruited 
Spermolepis. Very slender and widely branching. Rays of the 
umbels almost filiform, divaricate. Flowers about broad. Pedi¬ 
cels filiform, 3"-6" long. Fruit ovate, densely tuberculate, 6" long. 

In sandy soil and on prairies. April-May. Frequent. 

2. Spermolepis patens (Nutt.) Robinson. Spreading Spermo- 
lepsis. Erect, slender, 12'-24' high. Stem-leaves short-petioled, bi- 
ternately dissected into narrowly linear, filiform segments. Umbels 
terminal, or axillary, 6"-18" broad. Rays 3"-6" long. Pedicels 
1MST-2T long in full fruit. Fruit ovate, slightly more than long, 
more or less tuberculate. 

Sandy soil, May-June. Frequent. 

VII. AMMOSEUNUM T. & G. 

Annual, caulescent, diffuse herbs. Leaves alternate, ter- 
nately dissected. Flowers perfect in compound umbels. In¬ 
volucres and involucels of several entire or dissected bracts. 
Disk with a short, conic stylopodium. Fruit longer than 
broad. Carpels terete or slightly laterally flattened, with 
5 prominent ribs which are tuberculate or spiny. Oil-tubes 
solitary in the intervals and 2 in the inner side. 

1. Ammoselinum Popei T. & G. Pope’s Sand-Parsley. Dif¬ 
fuse, 6'-15' high, rough. Lower leaves slender-petioled, the upper 
sessile, all dissected into linear segments about wide. Fruit 

ovate, 2"-2%" long, narrowed above, 1" wide or a little more, the 
ribs rather strongly tuberculate. 

In sandy soil. April-May. Oklahoma County. 

VIII. PTILIMNIUM Raf. 

Annual, caulescent herbs. Leaves alternate, pinnately, 
or ternately dissected into narrow or filiform segments, 
and compound umbels of white flowers. Involucres and 
involucels of several slender, often dissected, bracts. Styl¬ 
opodium conic. Fruit slightly flattened, glabrous. Car¬ 
pels dorsally compressed, the dorsal and intermediate ribs 
prominent, slender, the lateral ones very thick and corky. 
Oil-tubes solitary in the intervals. Seed-face flat. 

1. Ptilimnium Nuttallii (DC) Britton. Nuttall’s Mock Bishop 
Weed. Stem erect or ascending, 24'-36' high, branching above. Leaf- 
blades finely dissected, the segments filiform. Fruit nearly orbicular, 
y 2 " long. 

In swamps. May-September. Central part of state. 


126 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 64. CORNACEiE. Dogwood Family. 

Shrubs or trees, rarely herbs. Leaves opposite or 
alternate, without stipules. Flowers small, actinomor- 
phic, variously clustered. Limb of the calyx epigynous, 
very short. Petals 4-5, borne on the margin of a disk on 
top of the ovary. Stamens 4-5, inserted with the petals.- 
Ovary 1-4-celled, with one ovule in each cell. Style 1. 
Fruit a 1-2-celled and 1-2-seeded drupe. 

Flowers perfect, 4-parted; ovary 2-celled. 

I. Cornus. 

Flowers polygamous or dioecious; petals minute or 
none; ovary 1-celled. II. Nyssa. 


I. CORNUS (Tourn.) L. 

Shrubs or trees, with simple, mostly entire, opposite, 
verticillate or, rarely, alternate leaves, and small, white, 
greenish, or purple flowers, in cymes. Calyx-tube top¬ 
shaped or campanulate, its limb minutely 4-toothed. 
Petals 4, valvate. Stamens 4. Ovary 2-celled. Stigma 
truncate or capitate. Drupe ovoid or globular, the stone 
2-celled and 2-seeded. 

1. Cornus asperifolia Michx. Rough-leaved Dogwood. A shrub 
with reddish-brown twigs, the youngest rough-pubescent. Leaves 
slender-petioled, ovate-oval, or elliptic, acumulate at the apex, ob¬ 
tuse at the base, pale and woolly pubescent beneath, densely rough 
pubescent above, 1*4'-5' long. Cyme loose, 2'-3' broad. Petals white. 
Fruit globose, white, about 3" in diameter. 

Along streams. May-June. Common. 

II. NYSSA L. 

Trees or shrubs, with alternate-petioled, entire or den¬ 
tate leaves. Flowers small, greenish, polygamo-dioecious, 
in capitate clusters, short racemes or the fertile ones 
sometimes solitary. Staminate flowers numerous, the 
calyx small, 5-parted, the petals minute and fleshy. Sta¬ 
mens 5-15. Disk entire or lobed. Pistillate flowers 2-14, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


127 


or solitary, bracted. Calyx-limb 5-toothed, or truncate. 
Ovary 1-celled, with 1 pendulous ovule. Drupe ovoid or 
oval, the stone bony, compressed, ridged or terete, 1- 
seeded. 

1. Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. Sour Gum. A large tree with rough 
bark. Leaves ovate or oval, acute, acuminate, or obtuse at the apex, 
usually narrowed at the base, entire, glabrous and shining above, 
more or less pubescent beneath, 2'-4' long. Staminate flowers in 
compound capitate clusters. Fruit ovoid, nearly black, 4"-7" long, 
acid. 

In rich, moist soil. April-June. Eastern part of state. 


FAMILY 65. PRIMULACE^E. Primrose Family. 

Herbs, with simple leaves, often most or all of them 
basal. Flowers bi-sexual and actinomorphic, generally 
gamopetalous. Stamens commonly 5, inserted on the 
corolla, opposite its lobes. Pistil consisting of a single 
stigma and style and a (generally free) 1-celled ovary, 
with a free central placenta. 

Lobes or segments of the corolla erect or spreading, 
not reflexed. 

Ovary wholly superior. I. Androsace. 

Ovary adnate to the calyx. II. Samolus. 

Segments of the corolla reflexed; plants scapose. 

III. Dodecatheon. 

I. ANDROSACE (Tourn.) L. 

Low, annual or perennial herbs, scapose, with tufted, 
small, basal leaves, and terminal, umbellate, or solitary 
involucrate small, white, or pink flowers. Calyx 5-lobed, 
cleft or parted. Corolla salver-form or funnel-form, the 
tube short, not longer than the calyx. Stamens 5, in¬ 
serted on the tube of the corolla. Ovary superior, turbin¬ 
ate or globose. Stigma capitellate. Capsule turbinate, 
ovoid or globose, 5-valved, few-many-seeded. 


128 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


1. Androsace occidentalis Pursh. Androsace. Smooth annual. 
Scapes diffuse, l'-3' long. Leaves oblong or spatulate, entire, sessile. 
Calyx-tube obpyramidal in fruit. Corolla very small, white, shorter 
than the calyx. 

In dry soil. April-May. Common. 

II. SAMOLUS (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial, glabrous herbs, with alternate, 
entire leaves, or the basal ones rosulate. Flowers small, 
white, in terminal racemes or panicles. Calyx-tube ad- 
nate to the ovary below, its limb 5-cleft. Corolla perigyn- 
ous, sub-campanulate, 5-lobed or 5-parted. Stamens 5, 
inserted on the corolla, opposite its lobes, alternating 
with as many staminodia. Ovary partly inferior. Cap¬ 
sule globose or ovoid, 5-valved from the summit. Seeds 
minute. 

Racemes sessile or nearly so; staminodia at the sinuses 
of the corolla. 1. S. floribundus. 

Racemes long-peduncled; staminodia wanting. 

2. S. ebracteatus. 

1. Samolus floribundus H. B. K. Water Pimpernel. Erect, 
branched, 6'-18' high. Leaves membranous, l'-3' long, obovate, the 
basal often in a rosulate tuft. Flowers less than a line broad, in 
panicled racemes. Pedicel filiform, bracteolate near the middle. Cap¬ 
sule 1"-1 in diameter. 

In swamps and brooks. May-September. Payne, Lincoln and 
Cleveland counties. 

2. Samolus ebracteatus H. B. K. Stems solitary or tufted, often 
branched. Leaves alternate, spatulate or obovate, sessile or with 
short winged petioles. Flowers in racemes. Calyx campanulate. 
Corolla pink, 3"-4" broad, densely glandular at the base. Capsule 
sub-globose, about 2" in diameter. 

In saline soil along the Cimarron. May-September. 

III. DODECATHEON L. 

Glabrous, scapose, perennial herbs, with entire or re- 
pand basal leaves. Flowers involucrate umbels terminat¬ 
ing scapes. Calyx deeply 5-lobed. Corolla 5-parted, the 
lobes reflexed. Stamens 5, inserted on the throat of the 
corolla. Filaments monadelphous, connivent into a cone, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


129 


exserted. Ovary ovoid or sub-globose, superior. Capsule 
oblong or cylindric, erect. Seeds numerous, minute. The 
testa punctate. 

1. Dodecatheon Meadia L. Shooting Star. American Cow¬ 
slip. Perennial by a stout rootstock. Scape erect, 8'-24' high. 
Leaves oblong to ovate or oblanceolate, narrowed into margined 
petioles or subcordate, entire or toothed. Flowers few in umbels, 
9"-15" long. Pedicels re-curved in flower, erect in fruit, unequal. 
Corolla purple, pink or white. Capsule narrowly ovoid. 

On moist cliffs and prairies. April-May. Cleveland and Murray 
counties. 


FAMILY 66. EBENACE^E. Ebony Family. 

Trees or shrubs with alternate, entire, ex-stipulate 
leaves, and dioecious, polygamous, or, rarely, perfect, reg¬ 
ular flowers, solitary or cymose in the axils. Calyx in¬ 
ferior, 3-7-lobed, commonly accrescent and persistent. 
Corolla gamopetalous, deciduous, 3-7-lobed, the lobes 
usually convolute in the bud. Stamens 2-4 times as many 
as the divisions of the corolla. Ovary 3-12-celled. Ovules 
1 or 2 in each cell. Fruit a berry. 

I. DIOSPYROS L. 

Trees or shrubs, with broad leaves and lateral cymose, 
racemose, or solitary flowers, the pistillate commonly sol¬ 
itary, the staminate usually clustered. Calyx 4-6-cleft, 
enlarging in fruit. Corolla urceolate, 4-6-lobed. Stamens 
8-20 in the sterile flowers. Styles 2-6 in the pistillate 
flowers. Ovary globose or ovoid. Berry large, pulpy. 
Seeds 4-12, flat, oblong. 

1. Diospyros virginiana L. Persimmon. Usually a small tree. 
Leaves ovate or oval, entire. Flowers dioecious, mostly 4-parted. 
Corolla greenish-yellow. Fruit globose, 1' or more in diameter, red- 
dish-yellow and sweet when ripe, astringent when green, ripening 
after frost. 

In fields and woods. May-June. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


130 


FAMILY 67. QLEACEiE. Olive Family. 

Shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, simple! or odd-pin¬ 
nate, without stipules. Flowers usually in forking cymes, 
small, white, greenish or yellow, bi-sexual or uni-sexual. 
Calyx free from the ovary, 4-lobed or wanting. Corolla 
hypogynous, regular, 4-parted or of 4 separate petals, 
sometimes wanting. Stamens 2, borne on the petals or 
hypogynous. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit 1-2-celled, each cell 
1-seeded, rarely 2-seeded. 

Fruit a loculicidal capsule; leaves simple; flowers com¬ 
plete. I. Syringa. 

Fruit a samara; leaves pinnate; flowers dioecious or 
polygamous. II. Fraxinus. 

Fruit a drupe or berry; leaves simple. 

III. Forestiera. 


I. SYRINGA L. 

Shrubs, with much-branched stems. Leaves opposite, 
entire. Flowers gamopetalous, in dense, terminal pan¬ 
icles or thyrses. Calyx-lobes unequal. Corolla white or 
purple, tube cylindric, lobes 4. Ovary 2-celled. Styles 
united, elongated. Stigma 2-cleft. Ovules 2 in each cav¬ 
ity, pendulous. Capsule coriaceous, narrowly oblong, 
somewhat compressed. Seeds pendulous, compressed, ob¬ 
liquely winged. 

1. Syringia vulgaris L. Lilac. A strong-growing hardy shrub. 
Leaves ovate, somewhat heart-shaped. Flowers sweet-scented, in 
very close, large clusters, lilac or white. Corolla lobes concave. 
Cultivated. 


II. FRAXINUS (Tomli.) L. 

Trees, with opposite and odd-pinnate leaves, and small, 
dioecious or polygamous, greenish-fasciculate or race¬ 
mose-fasciculate flowers. Calyx small, 4-cleft, irregular- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


131 


ly-toothed, entire or none. Petals none or 2-4, separate, 
or united in pairs at the base. Stamens 2, inserted on the 
base of the petals or hypogynous. Ovules 2 in each cav¬ 
ity of the ovary, pendulous. Stigma 2-cleft. Fruit a flat 
samara, winged at the apex only or all around. Seed ob¬ 
long. 

Body of the samara terete or nearly so, the wing chiefly 
terminal. 

Wing almost entirely terminal; leaves pale beneath. 

1. F. americana. 

Wing manifestly extending down on the sides of the 
body. 2. F. pennsylvanica. 

Body of the samara flat, the wing extending all around it. 

Twigs terete; leaflets 5-7; samara elliptic or spatulate. 

3. F. caroliniana. 

Twigs 4-sided; leaflets 7-11; samara oblong or cuneate. 

4. F. quadrangulata. 

1. Fraxinus ameiricana L. White Asii. A large tree. Twigs 
and petioles smooth. Leaflets usually 7, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 
taper-pointed at the apex, rounded or obtuse at the base, entire or 
slightly serrate, smooth above, often downy beneath, short-stalked. 
Flowers mostly dioecious. Key l%'-2' long, winged only at the 
apex. Wing spatulate or oblanceolate. 

In rich woods. April-June. Common. 

2. Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. Red Ash. A small tree with 
rough, dark gray bark. Twigs and petioles densely velvety-downy. 
Leaflets 5-9, oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, taper-pointed at the 
apex, narrowed into a short stalk at the base, finely serrate, smooth 
above, velvety downy beneath. Key l'-2' long, the wing somewhat 
extended along the sides. 

Moist soil. Comanche County. April-May. 

3. Fraxinus caroliniana Mill. Water Ash. A small tree. 
Twigs smooth or downy. Leaflets 5-7, ovate or elliptical, acute at 
the apex, acute or obtuse at the base, entire or slightly serrate, 
smooth or slightly downy. Flowers dioecious. Key often 3-angled 
or 3-winged, wings running nearly to the base, oblong or oval and 
pinnately veined. 

In swamps and wet soil. March-April. 

4. Fraxinus quadrangulata Michx. Blue Asii. A large forest 
tree with 4-sided twigs, the foliage glabrous, or sparingly pubescent 
when young. Leaflets 7-11, ovate, oblong, or lanceolate, acuminate 


132 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


at the apex, rounded or narrowed at the base, sharply serrate. Key 
linear-oblong' or cuneate, l'-2' long, winged all around, parallel- 
veined. 

In woods. March-April. 

III. FORESTIERA Poir. 

Shrubs with opposite, simple, serrulate or entire, decidu¬ 
ous or persistent leaves, and small, yellow or greenish dioe¬ 
cious or polygamous flowers, fascicled, short-racemose or 
paniculate from scaly buds produced at the axils of the pre¬ 
ceding season. Calyx wanting. Corolla wanting, or of 1 
or 2 small, deciduous petals. Stamens 2-4. Ovary ovoid, 
2-celled. Stigma 2-lobed. Fruit an oblong or sub-globose 
drupe. 

1. Forestiera acuminata (Michx.) Poir. Adelia. A shrub or 
small tree, the branches somewhat spiny, the foliage glabrous. Leaves 
ovate, lanceolate or oblong, finely denticulate, l'-4' long. Staminate 
flowers fascicled. Pistilate flowers short-paniculate. Drupe oblong 
when mature. 

River banks. March-April. Southeastern part of state. 


FAMILY 68. LOGANIACEiE. Logania Family. 

Herbs, shrubs or vines, with opposite or verticillate, 
simple, stipulate leaves, or the leaf-bases conected by a 
stipular line or membrane, and regular, perfect, 4-5- 
parted, mostly cymose or spicate flowers. Calyx inferior, 
the tube campanulate. Corolla gamopetalous, funnel- 
form, campanulate, or, rarely, rotate. Ovary superior, 2- 
celled (rarely 3-5-celled.) Fruit a 2-valved capsule. 
Seeds winged or wingless. 

I. POLYPREMUM L. 

A glabrous, diffusely-branched, annual herb, with op¬ 
posite, linear-subulate leaves, their bases connected by a 
stipular membrane, and small, white flowers in terminal, 
bracted cymes. Calyx deeply 4-parted. Corolla rotate- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


133 


campanulate, bearded in the throat. Stamens 4, inserted 
on the corolla. Stigma capitate or obscurely 2-lobed. 
Capsule globose-ovoid, slightly compressed, didymous. 
Seeds smooth. 

1. Polypremum procumbens L. Polypremum. Stems tufted, 
4-angled, usually much-branched, 2'-12' long. Leaves narrowly linear, 
long, y 2 ”- 1" wide, sessile, minutely rough-toothed on the 
margins. Flowers solitary, sessile in the forks of the cymes and 
along their branches, leafy-bracted. Capsule crastaceous, about 
1" in diameter. 

In dry sandy soil. May-September. Lincoln County. 


FAMILY 69. GENTIANACEiE. Gentian Family. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves entire, usually op¬ 
posite, sometimes alternate, without stipules. Flowers 
actinomorphic, solitary or in cymes. Calyx hypogynous, 
4-8-toothed or lobed. Corolla hypogynous, wheel, bell, or 
funnel-shaped, 4-8-lobed. Stamens 4-8, inserted on the 
corolla tube. Ovary 1-2-celled. Ovules many, on 2 op¬ 
posite placentas. Capsule 1-celled or partially 2-celled, 
2-valved, many-seeded. 

I. EUSTOMA Salisb. 

Glaucous, annual herbs, with opposite, sessile or clasp¬ 
ing, entire leaves. Flowers large, blue, purple, or white, 
long-peduncled, axillary and terminal, solitary or paniculate. 
Calyx deeply 5-6-cleft, keeled. Corolla broadly campanu¬ 
late, deeply 5-6-lobed, the lobes oblong or obovate, usual¬ 
ly erose-denticulate, stamens 5-6, inserted on the throat 
of the corolla. Ovary 1-celled. Stigma 2-lamellate. Cap¬ 
sule oblong or ovoid. Seeds foveolate. 

1. Eustoma Russellianum (Hook.) Griseb. Russell’s Eustoma. 
Stem stout, 12'-3()' high. Leaves oblong or ovate-oblong, 3-5 nerved, 
the upper usually acute at the apex, cordate-clasping at the base, 
l%'-3' long, the lower obtuse at the apex land narrowed into a ses¬ 
sile or auricled base. Flowers 2'-3' broad. Calyx-lobes long, acu- 


134 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


minate, shorter than the purple corolla. Corolla lobes obovate, about 
4 times as long as the tube. Capsule oblong, pointed. 

On prairies. May-August. Kingfisher, Cleveland and Grady 
counties. 


FAMILY 70. APOCYNACEiE. Dogbane Family. 

Perennial herbs, shrubs or vines, mostly with an acrid, 
milky juice, with simple, opposite, alternate or verticil- 
late, ex-stipulate leaves, and perfect, regular, 5-parted, 
cymose, solitary or paniculate flowers. Calyx inferior, 
persistent. Corolla gamopetalous, its lobes convolute in 
the bud. Ovary superior, or its base adherent to the 
calyx. Fruit usually of 2 follicles or drupes. 

Leaves alternate; erect herbs. I. Amsonia. 

Leaves opposite; vines or herbs. II. Apocynum. 

I. AMSONIA Walt 

Perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers 
blue or bluish, in terminal, thyrsoid or corymbose cymes. 
Calyx 5-parted, acuminate. Corolla mostly salver-form, 
the tube dilated at the summit, villous within. Stamens 
inserted on the throat of the corolla, included. Disk none. 
Carpels 2, connected by the slender styles. Stigma ap- 
pendaged by a reflexed membrane. Follicles 2 together. 

1. Amsonia Amsonia (L.) Britton. Amsonia. Loosely pubes¬ 
cent or hairy when young, soon glabrous. Leaves from ovate-lan¬ 
ceolate to linear-lanceolate, taper-pointed. Calyx lobes about 1" 
long. Tube of the bluish corolla little longer than the lobes. Fol¬ 
licles 2'-4' long, about 2" thick. 

In moist soil. April-July. Comanche County. 

II. APOCYNUM L. 

Perennial, branching herbs, with opposite, entire 
leaves, and small, white or pink flowers in terminal and 
sometimes axillary corymbed cymes. Calyx 5-parted, 
acute. Corolla urceolate to campanulate, the tube bear- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


135 


ing within 5 small appendages alternate with the stamens, 
5-lobed. Stamens inserted on the base of the corolla. 
Disk 5-lobed. Carpels 2. Stigma ovoid, obtuse. Follicles 
slender, elongated, terete. Seeds small, tipped with a long 
coma. 

Leaves and cymes glabrous, or sparingly pubescent. 

1. A. cannabinum. 

Leaves, cymes, and often the whole plant densely pub¬ 
escent. 2. A. pubescens. 

1. Apocynum cannabinum L. India Hemp. Stem extensively 
branched, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves oblong, lanceolate-oblong 
or ovate-oblong, acute or obtuse, and mucronate at the apex, nar¬ 
rowed or rounded at the base, glabrous above, sometimes pubescent 
beneath, 2'-G' long. Oymes dense. Corolla greenish-white. Folli¬ 
cles 4' long. 

In fields and thickets. May-July. Lincoln and Oklahoma coun¬ 
ties. 

2. Apocynum pubescens R. Br. Velvet Dogbane. Whole plant 
densely velvety-pubescent, or the stem sometimes glabrate. Leaves 
oval to elliptic, strongly mucronate. Petioles l"-2" long. Cymes 
dense. Calyx segments about as long as the tube of the corolla. 
Follicles about 4' long. 

In dry sandy soil. April-August. Payne County. 


FAMILY 71. ASCLEPIADACE7E. Milkweed Family. 

Shrubs or herbs, often twining. Juice usually milky. 
Leaves generally opposite or whorled, entire, without 
stipules. Flowers regular. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5- 
parted. Stamens 5. Filaments usually united around 
the styles. Often with hook-like appendages, each with 
an incurved horn borne on the stamen tube and forming 
a crown around the stigma. Ovary free from the calyx 
tube, of 2 carpels, more or less united below but uncon¬ 
nected above. Styles 2. Stigmas 5 angled. Ovules sev¬ 
eral-many. Fruit consisting of 1 or 2 pods. 


136 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Corona-hoods each with an incurved horn within; 
leaves mostly opposite. 1. Asclepias. 

Corona-hoods prominently crested within; leaves alter¬ 
nate. 2. Asclepiodora. 


I. ASCLEPIAS L. 

Perennial, erect or decumbent herbs, with opposite, ver- 
ticillate or, rarely, alternate, entire leaves, and flowers in 
terminal or axillary umbels. Calyx 5-parted or 5-divided, 
often glandular within. Corolla deeply 5-parted, reflexed. 
Corona-column generally present. Corona of 5 concave, 
erect, or spreading hoods, each bearing within a slender or 
subulate, incurved horn, either included or exserted. Fila¬ 
ments connate into a tube. Antlers tippe’d with an indexed 
membrane, winged. Stigma nearly flat, 5-angled or 5- 
lobed. Follicles acuminate. 

Leaves ovate, oblong, ovate-lanceolate, obovate or obicu- 
lar. 

Plants glabrous, or minutely pubescent above. 

1 A. amplexicaulis. 

Plants, at least the lower surfaces of the leaves, can- 
escent or tomentose. 2. A. speciosa. 

Leaves lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate or linear. 

Hoods entire. 3. A. verticillata. 

Hoods dorsally hastate-sagittate. 4. A. galioides. 

1. Asclepias amplexicaulis J. E. Smith. Blunt-leaved Milk¬ 
weed. Stems glabrous, stout, erect or ascending, 2°-3° long. Leaves 
sessile, oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse and mueronate at the apex, 
cordate-clasping at the base, 3'-5' long, margins wavy-crisped. Um¬ 
bels many-flowered, usually solitary on the terminal peduncle. Co¬ 
rolla segments greenish-purple, about 4" long. Hoods pink, toothed 
at the summit, shorter than the incurved horn, longer than the 
anthers. Follicles erect on the stout, decurved pedicels, downy, 
4'-6' long. 

In dry fields. May-August. Oklahoma County. 

2. Asclepias speciosa Torr. Showy Milkweed. Plant white- 
tomentose or canescent all over. Stem simple, stout, 12'-3G' high. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


137 


Leaves thick, broadly ovate, or oval, 3'-8' long, 2'-4' wide. Umbels 
several or, rarely, solitary, many-flowered. Corolla purple-green. 
Hood lanceolate, with two blunt teeth below. Horn short, indexed. 
Follicles erect or spreading on the recurved pedicels, 3'-4' long, dense¬ 
ly woolly and covered with soft, spinose processes. 

In moist soil. May-July. Oklahoma, Kingfisher and Blaine 
counties. 

3. Asclepias verticillata L. Wiiorled Milkweed. Stem pubes¬ 
cent in lines above, leafy, 12'-30' tall. Leaves narrowly linear, ses¬ 
sile, verticillate, in 3’s-7’s or some of them alternate, their margins 
revolute. Umbels numerous, many-flowered. Corolla greenish white. 
Hood white, oval, entire, much shorter than the subulate incurved 
horn. Follicles erect on the erect, fruiting pedicels, narrowly spindle- 
shaped, glabrous, 2'-3' long. 

In dry fields and on hills. May-September. Frequent. 

4. Asclepias galioides H. B. K. Bedstraw Milkweed. Stem 
erect, 12' high or more. Leaves erect or spreading, in whorls of 2-6, 
narrowly linear, its margins revolute. Umbels 9"-13" in diameter. 
Flowers greenish-white. Hoods as high as the anthers, dorsally 
hastate-sagittate, entire. Horn arising from the base of the hood. 
Follicles erect on erect, fruiting pedicels, attenuate, 2'-2%' long. 

Prairies. May-July. 

II. ASCLEPIOORA A. Gray 

Low and stout perennial herbs, often decumbent. Flow¬ 
ers large. Corolla-lobes ovate, greenish, ascending or 
spreading. Follicles ovoid, often somewhat muricate, with 
soft, spinous projections. Hoods destitute of a horn. Other¬ 
wise resembling Asclepias. 

Glabrous or nearly so; leaves oblong to ovate-lanceolate; 
umbels corymbose. 1. A. viridis. 

Stem rough-puberulent; leaves lanceolate or linear, 
acuminate; umbels solitary. 2. A. decumbens. 

1. Asclepiodora viridis (Walt.) A. Gray. Oblong-leaved 
Milkweed. Stem erect, nearly smooth, 12'-24' high. Leaves alter¬ 
nate, short-petioled, oblong to ovate-lanceolate. Umbels 2-4. Flow¬ 
ers about 1' in diameter, green with a purplish crown. Follicle as¬ 
cending, puberulent, 2'-3' long. 

In dry soil. May-July. Common. 

2. Asclepiodora decumbens (Nutt.) A. Gray. Decumbent Milk¬ 
weed. Stems decumbent or ascending, 10'-24' long. Leaves linear 
to lanceolate. Umbel solitary, many flowered. Corolla greenish. 


138 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Hoods purple. Follicles nearly erect on the re-curved, fruiting pedi¬ 
cels, 3'-4' long. 

In dry soil. April-June. Common. 

FAMILY 72. CONVOLVULACE^E. Morning-Glory. 

Family. 

Herbs or shrubs, the stems twining, ascending, trail¬ 
ing or erect. Leaves alternate, entire, dentate, lobed or 
dissected. Flowers regular, perfect. Sepals 5. Corolla 
hypogynous, tubular, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, .its 
limb more or less 5-lobed or angled. Stamens 5, inserted 
on the corolla tube. Ovary usually 2-4-celled. Style 
slender, 2-4 cleft. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell. Capsule 
1-4 celled, 2-4 valved, or bursting open across the base. 

Style 2-cleft or 2-divided. I. Evolvulus. 

Style entire up to the stigma. 

Stigma or stigmas capitate or globose. II. Ipomoea. 

Stigmas 2, filiform to oblong. III. Convolvulus. 

I. EVOLVULUS L. 

Small, prostrate or dilfuse perennials with more or less 
densely pubescent stems and small, simple, entire leaves. 
Flowers solitary in the axils. Sepals nearly equal. Co¬ 
rolla funnel-form or nearly rotate, white or blue, the 
limb entire. Ovary 2-celled. Capsules sub-globose, 2-4- 
valved. 

1. Evolvulus pilosus Nutt. Evolvulus. Perennial, deeply silky- 
pubescent or villous. Stem 3'-9' high. Leaves sessile, oblong, lance¬ 
olate or spatulate, 3"-9" long. Flowers solitary and nearly sessile 
in the axils. Peduucles recurved in fruit. Corolla funnel-form, cam- 
panulate, purple or blue, 3"-4" broad. Capsule iy 2 "-2" in diameter. 

On dry plains. May-July. Frequent. 

II. IPOMOEA L. 

Twining, trailing, or erect, annual or perennial herbs, 



Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


139 


mostly with large showy flowers. Sepals usually unequal. 
Corolla funnel-form to trumpet-shaped, plicate, and gen¬ 
erally convolute, the limb from entire to lobed. Stamens 
included. Style slender, with capitate stigma. Capsule 
globular, 2-4-celled. 

Leaves cordate; stems trailing or twining 

1. 7. pandumta. 

.Leaves linear; stems ascending or erect. 

2. 7. leptophylla. 

1. Ipomoea panduiata (L.) Meyer. Wild Potato Vine. Peren¬ 
nial. Stems trailing or feebly climbing, leaves broadly ovate, cor¬ 
date, entire. Peduncles 1-5 flowered. Corolla funnel-form, white, or 
with pinkish^purple stripes in the throat, -3' long. Capsule ovoid, 
the seeds densely woolly on the margins and pubescent on the sides. 

In dry soil. May-September. Along Cimarron River. 

2. Ipomoea leptophylla Torr. Bush Morning Glory. Peren¬ 
nial from an enormous root. Stems erect, ascending or reclining. 
Leaves narrowly linear, entire, 2'-5' long. Penduncles 1-4-flowered. 
Corolla funnel-form, purple or pink, about 3' long. Capsule ovoid. 

In dry soil. May-July. Frequent in soil underlaid with sand¬ 
stone. 


III. CONVOLVULUS L. 

Perennial herbs with trailing, twining or erect stems. 
Leaves entire, dentate or lobed, mostly cordate or sagittate 
and petioled. Flowers axillary, solitary, or clustered, large, 
pink, purple or white. Sepals equal or unequal, often a pair 
of bracts at their base. Corolla campanulate to funnel- 
form, plicate, the limb entire or lobed. Stamens inserted 
on the tube, included. Stigmas two, filiform or oblong. 
Capsule globose, usually 2-celled. 

Calyx with two large bracts at the base, which en¬ 
close it. 

Stems trailing or climbing. 1. C. repens. 

Stem erect or ascending; flowers white; bracts not 
cordate. 2. C. spithamaeus. 

Calyx not bracted; peduncle bracted at the summit. 

Glabrous or nearly so; leaves entire, auriculate. 

3. C. arvensis. 


140 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Canescent; leaves with 2-4 basal lobes. 4. C. incanus. 

1. Convolvulus repens L. Trailing Bindwood. Stem trailing 
or twining. Leaves ovate or oblong, sagittate or cordate at the base, 
entire l'-2' long. Peduncles l-flowered. Flowers white, about 2' 
long. Calyx bracted. 

In moist and dry soil. May-August. Common. 

2. Convolvulus spithamaeus L. Upright Bindweed. Stem 
erect or ascending. Leaves oval, subcordate at the base, l'-2' long. 
Penducles 1-flowered. Flowers white, nearly 2' long. Calyx bracted. 

In dry, sandy, or rocky fields or on banks. May-August. Fre¬ 
quent. 

3. Convolvulus arvensis L. Small Bindweed. Stems trailing 
or decumbent. Leaves ovate or oblong, entire, sagittate or some¬ 
what hastate at the base, l'-2' long. Peduncles 1-4 flowered, 1-2 
bracted at the summit. Corolla pink or nearly white, 8"-12" broad. 
Calyx not bracted. 

In fields and waste places. May-September. Frequent. 

4. Convolvulus incanus Vahl. Hoary Bindweed. Finely and 
densely canescent. Stems procumbent or trailing. Leaves lanceo¬ 
late, ovate to linear in outline, usually with 2-4 divergent lobes at 
the base, otherwise entire, or irregularly dentate, l'-2' long. Pedun¬ 
cles 1-2 flowered, minutely bracted at the summit. 

In dry, rocky soil. April-August. Comanche County. 

FAMILY 73. POLEMONIACEiE. Phlox Family. 

Annual or perennial herbs, rarely shrubs. Leaves al¬ 
ternate or the lower opposite, without stipules. Flowers 
in terminal, forking cymes. Calyx hypogynous, 5-lobed. 
Corolla regular or nearly so, 5-parted. Stamens 5, in¬ 
serted on the corolla tube, usually unequal. Ovary 3- 
celled. Style simple. Stigmas 3, linear. Capsule 3-celled, 
the cells 1-many-seeded. 

Corolla salver-form; leaves opposite, entire. I. Phlox. 

Corolla funnel-form, tubular, salver-form, or campanu- 
late; leaves alternate or opposite. II. Gilia. 

I. PHLOX. L. 

Perennial, or, rarely, annual, erect or diffuse herbs, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


141 


with opposite, entire leaves, and large, blue, purple, red, 
or white flowers in terminal cymes or cymose panicles. 
Calyx tubular or tubular-campanulate, 5-ribbed, 5-cleft. 
Corolla salver-form, the tube narrow, the limb ,5-lobed. 
Stamens unequally inserted on the corolla-tube. Ovary 
oblong or ovoid, 3-celled. Capsule ovoid, 3-valved. Seeds 
ovoid, wingless or narrowly winged. 

1. Phlox pilosa L. Downy Phlox. Soft, downy, or hairy, often 
glandular. Stem erect or ascending. Leaves linear or lanceolate, 
1/-4' long. Cymes corymbose. Flowers short-pedicelled. Calyx 
.glandular-viscid, teeth longer than the tube, bristle-pointed. Corolla 
pink, purple, or white, lobes obovate. Capsule shorter than the 
calyx. 

In dry soil. April-June. Oklahoma, Cleveland, Caddo counties. 

II. GILIA R. & P. 

Herbs with opposite or alternate, entire, pinnatifid, 
palmatifid, or dissected leaves. Flowers solitary, cymose, 
capitate, thyrsoid, or paniculate. Calyx campanulate or 
tubular, 5-toothed or 5-cleft. Corolla funnel-form, tu¬ 
bular, campanulate, rotate or salver-form, 5-lobed. Sta¬ 
mens equally or unequally inserted on the corolla. Ovary 
oblong or ovoid, 3-celled. Capsule ovoid or oblong, 3- 
celled. 

1. Gilia longiflora (Torr.) Don. White-flowered Gilia. An¬ 
nual, glabrous 12'-24' high. Leaves alternate, sessile, 12"-18" long, 
pinnately divided into linear-filiform segments, or the uppermost en¬ 
tire. Flowers white, paniculate, about 2' long. Corolla salver-form. 
Stamens unequally inserted. Capsule narrowly oblong. 

In dry soil. May-September. Payne County. 


FAMILY 74. HYDROPHYLLACE/E. Water-Leaf Family. 

Herbs, mostly hirsute, pubescent or scabrous, with al¬ 
ternate or basal, rarely opposite, leaves, and perfect, regu¬ 
ar 5-parted flowers, in scorpioid cymes, spikes or racemes, 
or, rarely, solitary. Calyx inferior, deeply cleft, or divided, 
the sinuses sometimes appendaged. Corolla gamopetalous, 


142 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


funnel-form, salver-form, campanulate, or rotate. Sta¬ 
mens 5, inserted on the tube or base of the corolla, and al¬ 
ternate with its lobes. Ovary superior, 2-celled, or 1 celled 
with 2 placentae. Capsule 1-2 celled. 

Styles united below; ovary 1-celled; leaves mostly lobed 
or dentate. 

Corolla-lobes convolute in the bud; placentae narrow. 

Sinuses of the calyx appendaged. 1. Nemophila 

Calyx much enlarged in fruit, its sinuses not ap¬ 
pendaged. 2. Nyctelea. 

Corolla-lobes imbricated in the bud; placentae narrow. 

3. Phacelia 

Styles distinct to the base; ovary 2-celled; leaves en¬ 
tire. 4. Nama. 


I. NEMOPHILA Nutt. 

Annual, diffuse, pubescent, slender herbs, with alternate 
or opposite, mostly pinnatifid or lobed leaves. Flowers 
white, blue, or variegated, solitary, lateral, or terminal. 
Calyx deeply 5-cleft or 5-parted. Corolla campanulate or 
rotate-campanulate, usually with 10 small appendages with¬ 
in at the base. Ovary 1-celled. Capsule 2-valved. 

1. Nemophila phacelioides Nutt. Babv-Blue-eyes. Foliage hir¬ 
sute, or glabrate in age. Stems branched at the base, the branches 
2'-24' long. Leaves 2'-4' long. Blades pinnately divided, segments 
usually incised. Oalyx bristly. Corolla about 1" broad. Capsules 
globular, 2"-3" broad. 

Prairies. Spring. Caddo County. 

II. NYCTELEA Scop. 

Annual, hirsute or pubescent, branching herbs with op¬ 
posite or alternate, pinnately divided or 1-3-pinnatifid 
leaves, and solitary or racemose, small, white, or bluish 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


143 


flowers. Calyx 5-lobed or 5-parted, spreading. Corolla 
campanulate or nearly cylindric, usually with 5 minute ap¬ 
pendages on the tube within. Ovary I-celled. Styles united 
below. 


1. Nyctelea Nyctelea (L.) Britton. Nyctelea. Sparingly hir¬ 
sute-pubescent. Stem 4'-12' high. Leaves pinnately divided, 2'-4' 
long, ovate-oblong in outline, the upper alternate, the lower opposite, 
the segments dentate, entire or lobed. Peduncles 1-flowered, op¬ 
posite the leaves. Calyx becoming 8"-14" broad in fruit. Capsule 
globose, 2"-3" in diameter. 

In moist soil. April-July. Oklahoma County. 

III. PHACELIA Juss. 

Annual, biennial or perennial, mostly hirsute or scabrous 
herbs. Leaves alternate, sometimes simple, but in most 
species lobed or divided. Flowers in one-sided clusters, 
often showy. Calyx 5-parted, without appendages. Co¬ 
rolla with 5 spreading lobes. Ovary 1-celled, with narrow 
placentae. 

Appendages of the corolla tube between the stamens 
conspicuous. 

Stamens longer than the corolla. 1. P. intergrifolia. 
Stamens shorter than the corolla. 2. P. brevistylis. 

Appendages of the corolla-tube inconspicuous. 

3. P. dubia. 

1. Phacelia integrifolia Torr. Crenate-leaved Phacelia. An¬ 
nual or biennial. Stem stout, leafy, viscid-hirsute. 6'-24' high. 
Leaves finely strigose-pubescent, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 
crenate-dentate. Scorpioid cymes dense, 2'-4' long. Flowers sessile, 
about 4" long. Corolla tubular-campanulate, white or blue. Capsule 
ovoid. 

In saline soil. April-September. 

2. Phacelia brevistylis Buckl. Biennial, softly hirsute below, 
glandular-pilose above. Stems 5'-16' tall. Leaf-blades pinnately di¬ 
vided, the segments coarsely incised or pinnatifid. Corolla 2"-4" 
broad. Filaments pubescent. Capsules depressed, about 2" long. 

On shaded slopes. April-July. 

3. Phacelia dubia (L.) Small. Small-flowered Phacelia. An¬ 
nual, puberulent or glabrate, branched from the base, the branches 


144 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


slender, 5'-12' high. Lower leaves petioled, l'-2' long, pinnatifid or 
pinnately divided into 3-5 entire or dentate segments, upper leaves 
much smaller, sessile. Flowers light blue or white, racemose, 4"-5" 
broad. Capsule globose, l 1 /^" in diameter. 

In moist soil. April-June. Oklahoma and Comanche counties. 

IV. NAMA L. 

Perennial herbs, wih alternate, entire leaves, sometimes 
with spines in their axils. Flowers blue, cymose-clustered, 
or racemose. Calyx-segments distinct to the base, ovate 
or lanceolate. Corolla rotate-campanulate, not append- 
aged within, 5-cleft. Stamens inserted on the base of the 
corolla. Ovary 2-celled. Stigma capitellate. Capsule 
globose or ovoid. 

1. Nama ovata (Nutt.) Britton. Ovate-leaved Nama. Stem 
erect, branched near the summit, puberulent or hirsute, usually spine- 
bearing in the axils. Leaves usually ovate, short petioled, or the 
upper almost sessile, acute at the apex, narrowed or rounded at the 
base. Flowers often V broad or more, in terminal clusters. Corolla 
purplish or white. Capsules about 2" high, globose-ovoid. 

In wet soil. May-September. MicCurtain and Bryan counties. 

FAMILY 75. BORAGINACEZF. Borage Family. 

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs or shrubs. 
Leaves alternate, very rarely opposite or verticillate, ex- 
stipulate, mostly entire and hispid, pubescent, scabrous 
or setose. Flowers perfect, usually regular, mostly blue, 
in one-sided scorpioid spikes, racemes, cymes, or some¬ 
times scattered. Calyx inferior, mostly 5-lobed, 5-cleft, 
6-parted, its lobes valvate. Corolla gamopetalous, mostly 
regular and 5-lobed, sometimes crested or appendaged in 
the throat. Stamens as many as the corolla-lobes and 
alternate with them, inserted on the tube or throat. 
Ovary superior, of 22-ovuled carpels, entire. Fruit mostly 
of 4 1-seeded nutlets, or 2 2-seeded carpels. 

Ovary entire or 2-4-grooved; style terminal. 

I. Heliotropium. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


145 


Ovary 4 divided or deeply 4-lobed, the style arising 
from the center. 

Corolla salver-form or funnel-form, its lobes rounded, 
spreading. 

Racemes not bracted; corolla-tube short. 

II. Myosotis. 

Racemes brajcted; corolla-tube cylindric, usually 
slender. III. Lithospermum. 

Corolla tubular, its lobes erect, acute. 

IV. Onosmodium. 


I. HELIOTROPIUM (Tourn.) L. 

Herbs or shrubs, with alternate, mostly entire, and 
petioled leaves. Flowers small, blue, or white, in scorpioid 
spikes, or scattered. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla salver- 
form or funnel-form, the throat open. Stigma conic or 
annular. Fruit 2-4 lobed, separating into 4 1-seeded nut¬ 
lets, or into two 2-seeded carpels. Ovary entire, or 2-4- 
grooved. 

Flowers in scorpioid spikes. I. H. curassavicum. 

Flowers solitary, terminating short branches. 

II. H. tenellum. 

1. Heliotropium curassavicum L. Sea-side Heliotrope. Annual, 
glabrous, diffuse, the branches 6'-18' long. Leaves linear, or linear- 
oblong, entire. l'-2' long. Scorpioid spikes densely-flowered, mostly 
in pairs. Flowers about 2" broad. Corolla white with yellow eye 
or changing to blue. 

Saline soil. May-September. Along Cimarron River. 

2. Heliotropium tiemellum (Nutt.) Torr. Slender Heliotrope. 
Annual, strigose-canescent. Stem erect, slender, leafless below, 6'-18' 
tall. Leaves linear, entire, 6"-18" long. Flowers white, about 2t£" 
long. Fruit depressed, 4-lobed, separating into 4 1-seeded nutlets. 

In dry soil. April-August. McClain County. 

II. MYOSOTIS (Dill.) L. 

Low, annual, biennial, or perennial, pubescent, branch- 


146 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


ing, diffuse or erect herbs. Leaves alternate, entire. 
Flowers small, blue, pink, or white, in 1-sided racemes. 
Calyx 5-cleft, the lobes spreading or erect in fruit. Co¬ 
rolla salver-form, the limb 5-lobed, the throat crested. 
Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla-tube. Ovary 4-divided. 
Nutlets erect, glabrous or pilose, attached by their bases 
to the receptacles. 

1. Mysostis virginica (L.) B. S. P. Spring or Early Scorpion- 
grass. Annual or biennial, bristly-hirsute. * Stem erect, 3'-15' high. 
Leaves oblong or linear-oblong, 3"-12" long. Corolla white, the limb 
iy 2 " broad. 

On dry hills. April-June. Common. 

III. LITHOSPERMUM (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial, erect, branching, pubescent, hir¬ 
sute or hispid herbs. Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers 
small or large, white, yellow, or blue in leafy-bracted 
spikes or racemes. Calyx 5-parted or 5-cleft. Corolla 
funnel-form or salver-form, 5-lobed, naked, pubescent or 
crested in the throat, the lobes entire or erose-denticu- 
late. Stamens 5, inserted on- the throat of the corolla. 
Ovary 4-divided. Stigma capitate, or 2-lobed. Nutlets 
4, erect, white, smooth and shining, or brown and wrin¬ 
kled, attached by their bases. 

Annual plants, corolla white or whitish. 1. L. arvense. 

Perennial plants, corolla yellow. 

Corolla lobes entire; all flowers complete. 

Stems hirsute; corolla tube beardless at the base 
within. 2. L. canescens. 

Stems hispid; corolla tube bearded at the base 
within. 3. L. Gmelini. 

Corolla-lobes erose or laciniate; later flowers cleistog- 
amous. 4. L. linearolium. 

1. Lithospermum arvense L. Corn Gromwell. Annual or bi¬ 
ennial, hoary-strigose. Leaves narrowly lanceolate. Flowers incon¬ 
spicuous, whitish, in the upper axils. Corolla pubescent in the 
throat, but not crested, tube funnel-form. Nutlets ovoid, pitted and 
wrinkled. 

In waste places and fields. April-August. Oklahoma County. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


147 


2. Lithospermum canescens (Michx.) Lehrn. Hoarv Puccoon. 
Perennial, somewhat canescent when young. Leaves oblong, entire. 
Corolla orange-yellow, appendaged, not woolly within. Tube funnel- 
fonn, prominently crested in the throat. Nutlets ovoid, lustrous, 
keeled. 

In dry soil. April-June. Frequent. 

3. Lithospermum Gmelini (Michx.) Hitch. Hairy Puccoon. Per¬ 
ennial, hirsute or hispid. Leaves linear to lanceolate or oblong, 
lower reduced to scales, entire. Corolla deep orange-yellow, with 
appendages in the throat and woolly within. Nutlets ovoid, lustrous. 

In dry soil and woods. April-June. Kingfisher and Oklahoma 
counties. 

4. Lithospermum linearifolium Goldie. Narrow-leaved Puccoon. 
Perennial, strigose-pubescent. Leaves linear. Flowers of two kinds 
in terminal, leafy racemes. Corolla of the earlier ones salver-form, 
bright yellow, throat crested, the base of the tube not bearded within. 
Later flowers smaller, pale yellow, cleistogamous. Nutlets white, 
shining, ovoid, pitted, keeled on the inner side. 

In dry soil. April-July. Frequent. 

IV. ONOSMODIUM Michx. 

Perennial, stout, hispid or hirsute, branching herbs. 
Leaves alternate-entire, strongly veined. Flowers yellow¬ 
ish or greenish-white, proterogynous, in |leafy-bracted, 
scorpioid spikes or racemes. Calyx deeply 5-parted. Cor¬ 
olla tubular or tubular-funnel-form, 5-lobed, throat not ap¬ 
pendaged, the sinuses slightly indexed, the tube with a 
glandular, 10-lobed band within at the base. Stamens 
5, inserted on the tube. Ovary 4-parted. Nutlets 4, ovoid, 
sometimes sparingly pitted, shining, smooth, white, at¬ 
tached by the base. 

Nutlets not constricted. 1. 0. occidentale 

Nutlets distinctly constricted just above the base. 

2. O. hispidissimum. 

1. Onosmodium occidentale Mackenzie. Western False Grom- 
well. Stem strigose or hirsute-pubescent. Leaves lanceolate to 
ovate-lanceolate, strongly veined. Corolla 6"-10" long, canescent all 
over outside. Nutlets ovoid, dull, not constricted at the base. 

On prairies and plains. May-July. Oklahoma County. 

2. Onosmodium hispidissimum Mackenzie. Shaggy False Grom- 
well. Spreading-hirsute with rough, bristly hairs. Leaves lance¬ 
olate, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, 5-9 ribbed. Flowers very numerous 


148 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


and crowded. Corolla yellowish-white, pubescent outside, 5"-9" long. 
Nutlets obtuse, distinctly constricted at the base. 

In dry fields and thickets or on banks. May-July. Logan County. 


FAMILY 76. VERBENACEiE. Vervain Family. 

Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite or whorled, 
without stipules. Flowers zygomorphic, in bracted cymes. 
Calyx hypogynous, cleft or toothed. Corolla hypogynous, 
tubular, usually more or less 2-lipped. Stamens usually 
4 (2 long and 2 short), inserted on the corolla tube. 
Ovary usually 2-4-celled, with the style springing from its 
summit. 

Corolla-limb 5-lobed, regular or nearly so; nutlets 4. 

1. Verbena 

Corolla-limb 4-lobed, 2-lipped; nutlets 2. II. Lippia. 

I. VERBENA (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite. Flowers 
bracted, variously colored, in terminal, solitary, corymbed 
or panicled spikes. Calyx usually tubular, 5-angled, more 
or less unequally 5-toothed. Corolla salver-form or fun¬ 
nel-form, the tube straight or somewhat curved, the limb 
spreading, 5-lobed. Stamens 4, didynamous, the connec¬ 
tive sometimes with a gland. Ovary 4-celled. The stigma 
2-lobed. Fruit of 4 nutlets separating at maturity. 

Anthers not appendaged. 

Spikes very slender and much interrupted at maturity. 

1. V. xutha. 

Spikes stout, continuous by the imbricated or contig¬ 
uous fruits or if interrupted below, bract as long 
as the calyx or surpassing it. 2. V. bracteosa. 

Anthers of the longer stamens appendaged by a gland 

on the connective. 

Corolla tube about % longer than the calyx, the limb 
4"-5" wide. 3. V. bipinnatifida. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


149 


Corolla tube about twice as long as the calyx, the limb 
5"-8" wide. 4. V. canadensis. 

1. Verbena xutha. Lehm. Perennial or annual, pubescent. Leaves 
incised-pinnatifid, or 3-parted on the lower part of the stem, strigose 
to canescent, the segments coarsely-toothed to laciniate. Spikes rath¬ 
er slender, strict. Calyx becoming 2" long, strigose. Corolla blue 
to purple, its tube shorter than the calyx, limb about 2" broad. Nut¬ 
lets narrowly oblong. 

On open places. May-September. Payne County. 

2. Verbena bracteosa Michx. Large-bracted Vervain. Peren¬ 
nial, hirsute pubescent. Stem decumbent or ascending. Leaves ovate 
or oval in outline, pinnately incised or pinnatifid, the lobes mostly 
dentate. Spikes sessile, dense. Bracts linear-lanceolate, longer than 
the flowers and fruits, the lobed ones often incised. Corolla purplish- 
blue, about 2" long. 

On prairies and waste places. May-August. Frequent. 

3. Verbena bipinnatifida Nutt. Small-flowered Verbena. Per¬ 
ennial, producing suckers, hirsute or hispid. Stems erect, 6'-18' high. 
Leaves firm, deeply 1-2-pinnatifid into linear or linear-oblong lobes. 
Spikes solitary at the ends of the branches, dense. Bracts linear- 
subulate, about as long as or somewhat exceeding the calyx. Corolla 
6"-9" long, purple or lilac, the limb 4"-7" broad. Nutlets promin¬ 
ently wrinkled above. 

On dry plains and prairies. April-September. Frequent. 

4. Verbena canadensis (L.) Britton. Large-flowered Verbena. 
Perennial. Pubescent or glabrate. Stem slender, ascending. Leaves 
membranous, ovate in outline, irregularly-toothed, or pinnately-in~ 
cised, often 2-cleft, the lobes dentate. Spikes solitary at the end 
of the branches, dense. Bracts linear-subulate, mostly shorter than 
the calyx. Corolla 10"-12" long, blue, purple, or white. Nutlets 
wrinkled all over. 

In dry soil. May-August. Frequent. 

II. LIPPIA Houst. 

Perennial herbs or shrubs. Leaves opposite, sometimes 
verticillate. Flowers bracted, in axillary or terminal, most¬ 
ly peduncled, spikes or heads. Calyx membranous, ovoid, 
campanulate or compressed, and 2-winged, 2-4-toothed or 
2-4-cleft. Corolla-tube straight or incurved, cylindric, 
somewhat 2-lipped, 4-cleft. Stamens 4, didynamous. Ov¬ 
ary 2-celled. Stigma oblique or recurved. Fruit dry, at 
length separating into 4 nutlets. 


150 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Leaves linear-cuneate to spatulate, 2-8-toothed; peduncles 
little exceeding leaves. 1. L. cuneifolia. 

Leaves sharply serrate; peduncles much longer than 
leaves. 2. L. nodiflora. 

1. Lippia cuneifolia (Torr.) Steud. Wedge-leaved Fog-fruit. 
Minutely puberulent, with forked hairs or glabrous. Branches pro¬ 
cumbent, somewhat zigzag, with short, erect branchlets at the nodes. 
Leaves linear-cuneate, sessile with 2-8 sharp teeth above the middle. 
Head globose to cylindric. Bracts cuneate. Fruit oblong. 

On plains. May-August. Frequent in central part of state. 

2. Lippia nodiflora (L.) Michx. Spatulate-leaved Fog-fruit. 
Densely puberulent, with short, appressed hairs, creeping. Leaves 
spatulate, oblanceolate or obovate, sharply serrate above the middle. 
Heads at length cylindric. Corolla purple to white. 

In wet or moist soil. May-September. Frequent. 


FAMILY 77. LABIATiE. Mint Family. 

Mostly herbs, with square stems and opposite, more or 
less aromatic, leaves without stipules. Flowers general¬ 
ly in cyme-like, axillary clusters, which are often grouped 
into terminal spikes or racemes. Calyx tubular, usually 
2-lipped, persistent. Corolla usually 2-lipped. Stamens 
4 (2 long and 2 short) or only 2. Ovary free, with 4 deep 
lobes, which surround the base of the style. Fruit con¬ 
sisting of 4 nutlets, ripening inside the base of the calyx. 

I. Ovary 4-lobed, the style not basal; nutlets laterally 
attached. I. Teucrium. 

II. Ovary 4-parted, the style basal; nutlets basally at¬ 
tached. 

A. Calyx with a protuberance on the upper side. 

II. Scutellaria. 

B. Calyx not gibbous on the upper side. 

Stamens included. III. Marrubium. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


151 


Stamens exserted. 

1. Corolla strongly 2-lipped; lips unlike, the upper 
concave. 

a. Anther-bearing stamens 4. 

Posterior (upper) pair of stamens longer than 
the anterior. IV. Glecoma. 

Posterior pair of stamens shorter than the 
anterior. 

Calyx distinctly 2-lipped, closed in fruit. 

V. Prunella. 

Calyx 3-10 toothed, not distinctly 2-lipped, 
open in fruit. VI. Lamium. 

b. Anther-bearing stamens 2. 

Connective of the anther very long, bearing 
a perfect sac at one end, and a rudiment¬ 
ary one, or none, at the other. 

VII. Salvia. 

Connective very short, the anther-sacs con¬ 
fluent. VIII. Monarda. 

2. Corolla 2-lipped, or regular; upper lip, when 
present, flat, or only slightly concave. 

IX. Hedeoma. 


I. TEUCRIUM (Tourn.) L. 

Herbs or shrubs, with dentate, entire, or laciniate 
leaves, and pink, white, or purplish flowers, in terminal, 
bracted spikes or heads, or verticillate in the upper axils. 
Calyx tubular-campanulate, equally or unequally 5- 
toothed. Corolla-tube short, the limb irregularly 5-lobed. 
Stamens 4, didynamous. Ovary 4-lobed. Style 2-cleft at 
the summit. Nutlets obovoid, rugose-reticulated. 

1. Teucrium laciniatum Torr. Cut-leaved Germander. Peren¬ 
nial, 12' high or less, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves 1%' long or 
less, pinnately parted into 3-7 stiff, linear, entire, toothed or lobed 


152 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


segments. Flowers solitary in the upper axils. Corolla pale blue 
or lilac, about 9" long. 

On plains. Kingfisher County. May-August. 

II. SCUTELLARIA (Rivin.) L. 

Annual or perennial herbs, with small, entire or 
toothed, short-petioled leaves and solitary flowers axil¬ 
lary to foliar leaves or leaf-like bracts. Calyx campanu- 
late, 2-lipped, the lips entire, the upper crested, persist¬ 
ent, slightly accrescent. Corolla blue or violet, with a 
recurved tube dilated at the throat, the upper lip arched, 
the lower with two small, lateral lobes and a large, mid¬ 
dle one. Stamens 4. Nutlets papillose-tuberculate. 

Perennial from a thick woody root. 1. S. resinosa. 

Fibrous-rooted; perennial by rootstocks or stolons. 

2. S. parvula. 

1. Scutellaria resinosa Torr. Resinous Skullcap. Perennial, 
minutely pubescent and usually resiniferous, 6'-10' high. Leaves 
ovate or ovate-oblong, sessile, or the lower short-petioled, entire, 
3"-6" long. Flowers solitary in the axils. Corolla white or violet, 
pubescent, 6"-8" long. 

On dry plains. Comanche County. April-July. 

2. Scutellaria parvula Miclix. Small Skullcap. Perennial by 
thickened rootstocks, glabrous or pubescent, sometimes glandular, 
3'-12' high. Leaves ovate, oval or lanceolate, or the lower nearly 
orbicular, entire and sessile, or the lower dentate and petioled, 3"-12" 
long. Flowers solitary in the axils. Corolla 2"-4" long, violet, pub¬ 
escent. 

In sandy soil. April-July. Frequent in central Oklahoma. 

III. MARRUBIUM L. 

Perennial, downy, or woolly herbs. Whorls of flowers 
axillary. Flowers small. Bracts leaflike. Calyx tubular, 5- 
lQ-toothed, teeth somewhat spiny. Corolla short, upper lip 
erect, lower spreading, 3-cleft, the middle lobe broadest. 
Stamens 4, not projecting. Lobes of the stigma short and 
blunt. Ovary deeply 4-lobed. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. 

1. Marrubium vulgare L. Common Hoakhound. Stem erect, 
woolly. Leaves oval, broadly ovate or nearly orbicular, rugose- 
veined, crenate-dentate, whitish above, woolly beneath. Clusters all 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


153 


axillary, densely many-flowered. Flowers whitish. Calyx-teeth usu¬ 
ally 10, subulate. 

In waste places. May-September. Frequent. 

IV. GLECOMA L. 

Low, diffuse, creeping herbs, with nearly orbicular or 
reniform, crenate leaves, and blue or violet flowers in small, 
axillary, verticillate clusters. Calyx oblong-tubular, 15- 
nerved, not 2-lipped, unequally 5-toothed. Corolla-tube en¬ 
larged above, 2-lipped. The upper lip erect, the lower 
spreading. Stamens 4, didynamous. Ovary deeply 4- 
parted. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. 

1. Glecoma hederacea L. Ground Ivy. Gill-over-the-ground. 
Perennial, the creeping stems leafy. Leaves green on both sides, 
6"-18" in diameter. Clusters few-flowered, the flowers 7"-10" long. 
Corolla bluish-purple, corolla tube 3 times as long as the calyx. The 
upper pair of stamens much longer than the lower. 

Waste places and about houses and gardens. March-May. Fre¬ 
quent. 

V. PRUNELLA L. 

Perennials, with stems simple or nearly so, and sessile, 
3-flowered flower clusters in the axils of kidney-shaped 
bracts, the whole forming a spike or head. Calyx tubular- 
bell-shaped, somewhat 10-ribbed. Upper lip broad, 3- 
toothed, the teeth short. Lower lip with two longer teeth. 
Upper lip of the corolla upright, arched, and entire. The 
lower spreading, reflexed, fringed, and 3-cleft. Stamens 
4, reaching up under the upper lip, with the tips of the 
filaments 2-toothed, only one tooth anther-bearing. Ovary 
deeply 4-parted. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. 

1. Prunella vulgaris L. Self-heal. Heal-all. Stem procumb¬ 
ent, ascending or erect, 2'-24' long. Leaves ovate, oblong or oblong- 
lanceolate, entire, crenate, dentate or incised, l'-4' long. Spikes 
terminal, very dense, G"-12" long, becoming 2'-4' long in fruit. Cor¬ 
olla violet or purple or sometimes white, 4"-6" long. 

In fields, woods and waste places. May-October. 


VI. LAMIUM L. 

Annual or perennial, hairy herbs. Calyx tubular-bell- 


154 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


shaped, 5-veined, with 5 awn-pointed teeth of nearly equal 
length. Corolla with dilated throat, upper lip arched, mid¬ 
dle lobe of the lower lip notched, the lateral lobes small, 
close to the throat of the corolla. Stamens 4, didynamous, 
ascending under the upper lip of the corolla. Ovary deeply 
4-parted. Nutlets smooth or tuberculate. 

Upper leaves sessile or clasping. 1. L. amplexicaule. 

Leaves all petioled. 2. L. purpureum. 

1. Lamium amplexicaule L. Henbit. Annual or biennial. Leaves 
roundish, deeply scalloped, the lower ones petioled, the upper sessile 
and clasping. Corolla purplish or red, 6"-8" long. 

In waste and cultivated ground. February-October. Common. 

2. Lamiuin purpureum L. Red Dead Nettle. Stem 6'-18' high, 
silky-hairy or nearly smooth, reclining below, branched from the 
base. Leaves long-petioled, heart-shaped, crenate. Whorls of flow¬ 
ers mostly terminal, crowded. Corolla 6"-9" long, purple, rarely 
white. 

In waste and cultivated ground. April-October. Oklahoma County. 

VII. SALVIA (Tourn.) L. 

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, or sometimes 
shrubby. Flowers in spikes, racemes, or panicles, usually 
showy. Calyx tubular or bell-shaped, not bearded in the 
throat, 2-lipped, the upper lip entire or 3-toothed, the lower 
2-cleft. Corolla 2-lipped. The upper lip entire or notched, 
the lower spreading, 3-lobed, with the middle lobe longer. 
Stamens 2, short. Ovary deeply 4-parted. Style 2-cleft. 
Nutlets smooth. 

Corolla 10"-15" long, its tube exserted. 1. S. Pitcheri. 

Corolla 4"-6" long, its tube not exserted. 

2. S. lanceifolia. 

1. Salvia Pitcheri Torr. Pitcher’s Sage. Perennial, 2° -5° 
high. Leaves linear or linear-oblong, dentate or entire, sessile or 
short-petioled, 2'-5' long, the uppermost reduced to small bracts. 
Flower clusters in long, dense, terminal spikes. Calyx densely and 
finely woolly, its upper lip entire, the lower with 2 ovate, acute teeth. 
Corolla blue or white, V long, lower lip broad, 3-lobed, upper one 
concave. 

On dry plains. May-September. Cbmmon. 

2, Salvia lanceifolia Poir. Lance-leaved Sage. Annual, puber- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


155 


ulent or glabrous. Stem leafy, 6'-18' high. Leaves oblong, oblong- 
lanceolate, crenulate-dentate or entire. Flowers mostly opposite, but 
sometimes 3-4 together in the terminal, spilie-like racemes. Upper 
lip of calyx ovate, entire, the lower 2-cleft, the teeth ovate mucron- 
ate. Corolla blue, about 4" long, its lower lip narrow, twice as long 
as the upper. 

On plains. May-September. Frequent. 

VIII. MONARDA L. 

Perennial or annual, erect, aromatic herbs, with dentate 
or serrate leaves. Flowers white, red, purple, yellowish, 
or mottled, in dense, capitate clusters, bracteate and bracteo- 
late, the bracts sometimes brightly colored. Calyx tubular, 
15-nerved, 5-toothed. Corolla glabrous within, usually pub- 
erulent or glandular without, 2-lipped. Anther-bearing 
stamens 2. Ovary deeply 4-parted. Styles 2-cleft at the 
apex. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. 

Flower-clusters solitary and terminal, or rarely axil¬ 
lary in robust plants. 1. M. Bradburiana. 

Flower-clusters axillary and terminal. 

Calyx-tube merely puberulent, the lobes spreading; 
bractlets merely ciliate. 2. M. dispersa. 

Calyx,-tube pubescent, the lobes erect or nearly £o; 
bractlets pubescent on the back and copiously ciliate. 

3. M. clinopodioides. 

1. Monarda Bradburiana Beck. Bradbury Monarda. Perennial, 
sparingly villous or glabrate. Stem 12'-24' high. Leaves ovate or 
ovate-lanceolate, serrate, 2'-3 : *4 / long. Flower-clusters solitary and 
terminal. Bracts green or purplish. Calyx narrowed at the throat, 
teeth long, bristle-pointed. Corolla pink or nearly white, about V 
long, the lower lip commonly purple-spotted. 

On dry hills and thickets. May-July. Pontotoc County. 

2. Monarda dispersa Small. Purple Lemon Monarda. Annual, 
puberulent. Stem 12'-30' high. Leaves oblong-spatulate or oblance- 
olate, l'-4%' long, shallowly serrate. Flower clusters axillary and 
terminal, usually conspicuous by the broad, abruptly bristle-tipped 
purple bracts. Corolla pale, usually pink, 11"-13" long. 

Qn plains and prairies and cultivated ground. May-August. Fre¬ 
quent. 

3. Monarda clinopodioides A. Gray. False Balm. Annual, 

12'-24' tall. Leaves oblong to narrowly linear-oblong, long, 


156 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


sharply serrate. Bractlets narrowed into a terminal bristle. Calyx 
tube pubescent, the lobes plumose-ciliate. Corolla 10"-12" long. 

On plains and prairies. May-September. Oklahoma County. 

IX. HEDEOMA Pers. 

Annual or perennial, strongly aromatic and pungent 
herbs, with entire or crenulate leaves. Flowers blue or 
purple, in axillary clusters, crowded into terminal leafy*- 
bracted spikes or racemes. Calyx tubular, 13-nerved, vil¬ 
lous in the throat, 2-lipped. Corolla 2-lipped, the upper lip 
erect or 2-lobed, the lower spreading, 3-cleft. Perfect sta¬ 
mens 2. Sterile stamens 2. Ovary deeply 4-parted. Style 
2-cleft at summit. Nutlets ovoid, smooth. 

Calyx teeth all nearly equal; annual. 1. H. hispida. 

Teeth of the lower lip nearly twice as long as the upper; 
perennial. 2. H. longiflora. 

1. Hedeoma hispida Pursh. Rough Pennyroyal. Annual. 
Stem 3'-8' high, very leafy, and copiously-flowered. Leaves linear, 
entire, hispid-ciliate, 6"-12" long. Clusters axillary, numerous, 
crowded, several-flowered. Bracts subulate, very hispid. Corolla 
about 3" long, bluish-purple. Sterile stamens rudimentary or none. 

On dry plains. May-August. Frequent. 

2 Hedeoma longiflora Rydb. Long-flowered Pennyroyal. 
Perennial from a woody base. Stem 6'-18' high. Leaves oblong 
or linear-oblong, entire, 5"-10" long, l°-2t6" wide. Clusters axil¬ 
lary, loosely few-flowered. Corolla purple, 4"-6" long. Sterile sta¬ 
mens rudimentary, or none. 

Dry soil. April-August. Common in central part of state. 


FAMILY 78. SOLANACEiE. Potato Family. 

Herbs, shrubs or vines, with alternate or rarely op¬ 
posite, ex-stipulate, entire, dentate, lobed or dissected 
leaves, and perfect, regular or nearly regular, cymose 
flowers. Calyx inferior, gamosepalous, mostly 5-lobed. 
Corolla gamopetalous, rotate, campanulate, funnel-form, 
salver-form or tubular, mostly 5-lobed. Stamens as many 
as the lobes of the corolla and alternate with them, in- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


157 


serted on the tube. Ovary entire, 2-celled (Rarely 3-5- 
celled.) Style slender, simple. Fruit a berry or capsule. 

Anthers unconnected, destitute of terminal pores, de¬ 
hiscent. 

Fruit calyx bladdery-inflated. 

Corolla open-campanulate, yellowish or whitish, 
often with a dark center; seeds with a thin mar¬ 
gin, finely pitted. I. Physalis. 

Corolla flat-rotate, violet or purple; seeds thick, 
rugose-tuberculate. II. Quincula. 

Fruiting calyx somewhat enlarged, but closely fitted 
to the fruit, thin, obscurely veiny, open at the 
mouth. III. Chamaesaracha. 

Anthers connivent or slightly connate, fruiting calyx 
not enlarged. IV. Solanum. 


I. PHYSALIS L. 

Annual or perennial herbs, glabrous or pubescent. 
Leaves entire or toothed. Flowers axillary, usually soli¬ 
tary. Calyx campanulate, 5-lobed, accrescent and be¬ 
coming bladder-like in fruit, 5-angled or prominently 10- 
ribbed. Corolla yellow or whitish, campanulate or funnel- 
form, often with a darker, brownish or purplish center. 
Stamens adnate to the base of corolla. Stigma 2-cleft. 
Seeds numerous, kidney-shaped, flattened, finely pitted. 

Annuals with branched, fibrous roots. 

1. P. missouriensis. 

Perennial by thick roots and rootstocks. 2. P. comata. 

Physalis missouriensis Mack. & Bush. Missouri Ground 
Cherry. Annual. Stem spreading, striate or slightly angled, vil¬ 
lous, with short hairs. Leaves long, ovate, repand or sin- 

uately-dentate. Calyx villous, lobes shorter than the tube. Corolla 
i n diameter, yellow. Fruiting calyx 7"-10" long, round- 
ovoid, nearly filled by the berry, scarcely sunken. 

In waste places. May-September. Oklahoma County. 

2. Physalis comata Rydb. Hillside Ground Cherry. Peyen- 


158 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


nial. Peduncles and upper branches mixed with long, white, flat, 
jointed hairs. Leaf blade not over 2' long, round-ovate, somewhat 
repand-dentate, or nearly entire. Corolla greenish-yellow, with 
brown center, 6"-10" in diameter. Fruiting calyx round-ovoid, some¬ 
what 10 angled. 

Hillsides. April-July. Oklahoma County. 

II. QUINCULA Raf. 

Perennial, low and diffuse, scurfy herb. Leaves from 
sinuate to pinnatifid, somewhat fleshy. Peduncles common¬ 
ly in pairs from the axils of the leaves. Flowers perfect, 
regular, erect. Calyx campanulate, accrescent and becom¬ 
ing bladder-like in fruit, 5-angled, reticulate, with five con¬ 
verging lobes. Corolla flat, rotate, pentagonal in outline, 
violet or purple. Seeds comparatively few, flattened, kid¬ 
ney-shaped, rugose-tuberculate. 

1. Quincula lobata (Torr.) Raf. Purple-flowered Ground- 
Cherry. Perennial, spreading or prostrate, more or less scurfy- 
puberulent. Stem obtusely angled and striate. Leaves oblanceolate 
or spatuolate to oblong, sinuately-toothed, or pinnatifid, with round¬ 
ed lobes. Corolla purplish, 10"-15" in diameter. Anthers yellow, 
tinged with purple. Fruiting calyx about as wide as long, sharply 
5-angled, sunken at the base. 

On high plains. May-September. Frequent. 


III. CHAMiESARACHA A. Gray. 

Scurfy, perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, entire, or 
pinnatifid, with winged petioles. Peduncles solitary, or 2 
or 3 in the axils of the leaves. Calyx campanulate, 5-lobed, 
only accrescent, not becoming bladder-like in fruit, close- 
fitting to the berry. Corolla rotate, white or cream-colored, 
often tinged with purple, plicate. Stamens 5, inserted near 
the base of the corolla. Seeds reniform, flattened, rugose- 
favose or punctate. 

Pubescence dense, puberulent and hirsute. 

1. C. conioides. 

Pubescence sparse, puberulent, or stellate, hirsute (if 
at all) only on the calyx. 2. C. Coronopus. 

1. Chainaesaraclia conioides (Moricand) Britton. Hairy Cham- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


159 


aesaracha. Much-branched from a perennial base, cinereous-pu- 
berulent with short-branched, somewhat glutinous or viscid hairs. 
Leaves oblanceolate to obovate-rhombic, generally deeply-lobed, but 
varying from sub-entire to pinnatifid. Corolla about 6" in diameter, 
white, cream-colored or sometimes violet-purplish. 

In dry clayey soil. May-September. 

2. Chamaesaraclia Coronopus (Dunal) A. Gray. Smoothish 
Chamaesaracha. Branched and diffuse from a perennial base. Stem 
obtusely angled. Pubescence stellate, often scarcely any. Leaves 
linear or lanceolate, more or less sinuately-lobed, sometimes pinnat¬ 
ifid. Corolla white to yellowish-white, the appendages of the throat 
often protuberant. Berry 2% "-4" in diameter, nearly white. 

In clayey soil. May-September. 

IV. SOLANUM (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial, often prickly herbs, rarely vines. 
Leaves alternate, entire, toothed or pinnatifid. Flowers 
perfect, regular, in cymes, racemes, umbels, or panicles. 
Calyx from campanulate to rotate, 5-lobed. Corolla various¬ 
ly colored, rotate, 5-angled or 5-lobed, plicate. Stamens 
5, adnate to throat of the corolla. Anthers narrow, con¬ 
verging or united into a cone, sacs opening by terminal 
pores. Ovary mostly 2-celled. Fruit a berry, seated in the 
calyx. Seeds flattened. 

Glabrous or pubescent herbs, not prickly. 

Plants green, pubescence simple, or some of it stel¬ 
late; flowers white. 

Leaves repand or entire; ripe berries black. , 

1. S. nigrum. 

Leaves deeply pinnatifid; ripe berries green. 

2. S. triflorum. 

Plant silvery stellate-canescent; flowers violet. 

4. S. elaeagnifolium. 

Stellate-pubescent and prickly herbs. 

Berry not enclosed by the calyx; perennials. 

Hirsute; leaves ovate or oblong, sinuate or pinnati¬ 
fid. 3. S. carolinense. 

Densely silvery-canescent; leaves linear or oblong, 
repand or entire. 4. S. elaeagni folium. 


160 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Pubescent; leaves ovate, 5-7 u lobed. 5. S. Torreyi. 

Berry partly or wholly invested by the spiny calyx; 
annuals. 6. S. restratum. 

Climbing vine, not prickly; leaves hastate or 3-lobed. 

7. S. Dulcamara. 

1. Solanum nigrum L. Deadly Nightshade. Annual, glab¬ 
rous or downy with simple hairs. Leaves ovate, irregularly-toothed 
or entire, somewhat inequilateral, petioled. Flowers in lateral, pe- 
duncled umbels, small, white, drooping. Calyx lobes obtuse. Corolla 
4"-6" wide. Filaments downy. Berries globose, smooth, black when 
ripe. 

In waste places. May-October. Common. 

2. Solanum triflorum Nutt. Cut-leaved Nightshade. Annual, 
sparingly pubescent or glabrous. Leaves pinnatifid or some of them 
pinnately-lobed, lobes entire or dentate. Flowers lateral. Calyx- 
segments persistent at the base of the berry. Corolla white, 4"-5" 
broad. Berries green when mature, globose, glabrous, about 5" in 
diameter. 

Prairies and waste places. May-October. 

3. Solanum carolinense L. Horse-Nettle. Perennial, finely 
stellate-pubescent with 4-8-rayed hairs, armed with straight, yellow 
prickles. Leaves ovate-oblong, deeply toothed or lobed, prickly on 
the veins. Racemes lateral, few-flowered. Calyx lobes taper-pointed, 
persistent at the base of the berry. Corolla lobes ovate-lanceolate, 
blue or white. Berries orange-yellow, globose, smooth, 8"-10" in 
diameter. 

In cultivated fields and waste places. May-September. Com¬ 
mon. 

4. Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. Silver-leaved Nightshade. 
Perennial, densely and finely stellate pubescent, silvery-canescent all 
over. Sometimes armed with very slender, sharp prickles. Leaves 
lanceolate, or linear, l'-4' long, 3"-12" wide, repand-dentate, or en¬ 
tire. Flowers cymose, 8"-12'" broad, violet or blue. Berries globose, 
yellow or darker, 4"-6" in diameter. 

On dry plains and prairies. May-September. Common. 

5. Solanum Terreyi A. Gray. Terry’s Nightshade.. Peren¬ 
nial, pubescence stellate, hairs 8-12-rayed, more or less armed with 
small subulate prickles. Leaves ovate in outline, 3'-6' long, sinu- 
ately 5-7-lobed. Cymes loosely several-flowered. Flowers showy. 
Corolla violet. l'-lbroad. Berry globose, smooth and glabrous, 1' 
or more in diameter, yellow when ripe. 

On dry prairies. April-September. Oklahoma County. 

6. Solanum restratum Dunal. Buffalo Bur. Annual, the 
the whole plant beset with yellow prickles. Stem erect, diffusely 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


161 


branched, l°-2° high. Leaves broadly oval or ovate in outline, deeply 
pinnately-lobed or parted. Racemes few-flowered. Calyx very prick¬ 
ly, becoming enlarged, enclosing the fruit. Corolla bright yellow, 
about 1' broad. 

On prairies. May-September. Common. 

7. Solanum Dulcamara L. Climbing or Bitter Nightshade. 
Perennial, with simple hairs or glabrate. Stems shrubby, long, and 
climbing. Leaves heart-shaped, or with ear-like leaflets at the base. 
Flowers blue to purple, cyme. Berries showy, of many shades of 
orange and red in the same cluster. 

In waste places. May-September. 


FAMILY 79. SCROPHULARIACEiE. Figwort Family. 

Herbs, shrubs or trees, with opposite or alternate, ex- 
stipulate leaves, and perfect, mostly complete, and ir¬ 
regular flowers. Calyx inferior, persistent, 4-5-toothed, 
cleft, or divided, or sometimes split on the lower side, or 
on both sides. Corolla gamopetalous, the limb 2-lipped, or 
nearly regular. Stamens 2, 4 or 5, didynamous, or near¬ 
ly equal, inserted on the corolla and alternate with its 
lobes. Pistil 1, entire or 2-lobed. Ovary superior, 2- 
celled, or rarely 1-celled. Style slender, simple. Stigma 
entire, 2-lobed or 2-lamellate. Fruit mostly capsular. 

Corolla spurred, saccate, or gibbous on the lower side 
at the base. I. Linaria. 

Corolla neither spurred, saccate, nor gibbous on the 
lower side. 

Anther-bearing stamens 4, the fifth sterile or rudi¬ 
mentary. 

Corolla tubular, 2-lipped, the lobes of the lower 
lip flat. II. Pentstemon. 

Corolla 2-cleft, declined; middle lobe of the lower 
lip conduplicate. III. Collinisia. 


162 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Stamens 4, all anther-bearing, or 2 sterile, or 2 only. 

Stamens 2 only; corolla rotate, salver-form, tubu¬ 
lar, or none. IV. Veronica. 

Stamens 4, all anther-bearing, ascending under the 
upper lip of the corolla. V. Castilleja. 

I. LIN ARIA (Tourn.) Mill 

Annual or perennial herbs, with erect stems. Leaves 
alternate or opposite, or whorled on the shoots. Flowers 
in terminal racemes, spikes, or panicles. Sepals 5, par¬ 
tially united. Corolla irregular, 2-lipped. Tube spurred 
at the base. Throat partly closed by a convex fold. Sta¬ 
mens 4, didynamous. Capsule ovoid or globose. Seeds 
angled and wrinkled, sometimes winged. 

1. Liliaria canadensis (L.) Dumort. Blue or Wild Toad-Flax. 
Biennial or annual. Flowering steins erect, slender, rarely branched, 
smooth, 12'-24' high. Leaves linear, entire, sessile. Racemes erect, 
slender. Corolla small, blue and white, the spur thread-like, curved, 
longer than the pedicels. Capsule 2-valved. 

In dry soil. April-September. Common. 

II. PENTSTEMON Mitchell. 

Perennial herbs, branching from the base only. Leaves 
opposite. Flowers showy, blue, purple, red, or white, in 
terminal panicles or racemes. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 
irregular, the tube wide above and narrowed below, 2- 
lipped. Stamens 4 (2 long and 2 short), with a fifth, an¬ 
therless, filament as long as the others, its upper half 
bearded. Capsule ovoid or globose. 

More or less pubescent or glandular, at least the calyx 

and pedicels. 

Corolla long; leaves entire, serrate, or denticu¬ 

late. 

Stem pubescent or puberulent nearly or quite to the 
base. 1. P. hirsutus. 

Only the inflorescence, or pedicels, or calyx pubescent. 

2. P. Digitalis. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


163 


Stem leaves oblong, ovate, or lanceolate. 

Stem leaves linear-lanceolate. 3. P. gracilis. 

Corolla 2' long, the tube much enlarged above; leaves 
dentate. 4. P. Cobaea. 

Completely glabrous throughout, mostly glaucous. 

Stem leaves rounded, clasping; flowers 2' long. 

5. P. grandifloras. 

Stem leaves acute or acuminate; flowers 9"-15" long. 

6. P. acuminatus. 

1. Pentstemoni hirsutus (L.) Willd. Hairy Beard-tongue. 
Stem somewhat downy, l°-2° high. Leaves varying from oblong to 
lanceolate, 2'-4' long, usually with small teeth. Inflorescence thyr- 
soid, glandular pubescent. Corolla purplish or violet, the tube grad¬ 
ually dilated above, about 1' long, the throat nearly closed by the 
villous palate at the base of the lower lip. Sterile filament densely 
bearded for about one-half its length. 

In dry woods and thickets. May-July. 

2. Pentstemon Digitalis (Sweet) Nutt. Foxglove Beard- 

tongue. Glabrous except the glandular inflorescence. Lower and 
basal leaves oblong or oval, entire or repand, 2'-7' long. Upper 
leaves ovate, lanceolate, sharply denticulate. Thyrsus many-flow¬ 
ered. Corolla white, long, the tube abruptly dilated, the 

limb moderately 2-lipped, the throat open. Sterile filament bearded 
above. 

In fields and thickets. May-July. 

3. Pentstemon gracilis Nutt. Slender Beard-Tongue. Glabrous 
to the glandular-pubescent inflorescence. Stem 6'-18' high. Basal 
and lower leaves linear-oblong or spatulate, denticulate or entire, 
l'-3' long, narrowed into margined petioles. Upper leaves sessile, 
linear-lanceolate, denticulate, acuminate. Thyrsus several many- 
flowered. Corolla purple, 9"-12’" long, its tube gradually enlarged 
above. Sterile filament bearded for about one-half its length. Cap¬ 
sule one-third longer than the calyx. 

On moist prairies. May-July. Frequent. 

4. Pentstemen Cobaea Nutt. Cobaea Beard-tongue. Stem 
densely and finely pubescent below, glandular-pubescent above, l°-2° 
high. Leaves oblong to ovate, 3^-5' long, dentate, the lower glab¬ 
rous and narrowed into margined petioles, upper sessile or cordate- 
clasping, usually pubescent. Thyrsus several-many-flowered. Flow¬ 
ers about 2' long. Corolla purple, its tube narrowed up to the 
top of the calyx, then abruptly dilated and campanulate, the limb 


164 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


scarcely 2-lipped. Sterile filament sparingly bearded. Capsule ovoid, 
pubescent, reticulate-veined, as long as the calyx. 

On dry prairies. May-July. Common. 

5. Pentstemien graradiflorus Nutt. Large-flowered Beard- 
tongue. Glabrous and somewhat glaucous. Stem 2°-4° high. Leaves 
all entire and obtuse, the basal ones obovate, narrowed into broad 
petioles, those of the lower part of the stem sessile, oblong or oval, 
l'-2y 2 ' long, the upper nearly orbicular, cordate-clasping. Thyrsus 
leafy-bracted, the bracts orbicular and cordate. Flowers nearly 2' 
long. Corolla lavendar-blue, the tube rather abruptly dilated above 
the calyx, the limb somewhat 2-lipped. The sterile filament incurved, 
villous and capitate at the summit. Capsule 8"-10" high, three 
times as long as the calyx. 

On prkiries. M^ay-August. Blaine County. 

6. Pentstemon acummatus Dougl. Sharp-leaved Beard- 
tongue. Glabrous and glaucous. Stem 6'-24' high, leafy. Leaves 
entire, the lower and basal ones oblong or spatulate, narrowed into 
petioles, the upper sessile or clasping, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 
2'-3' long. Thyrsus sometimes one-sided, usually leafy-bracted be¬ 
low. Corolla blue, 9 r '-10" long, its tube rather gradually dilated, 
limb 2-lipped. Sterile filament bearded along the dilated summit. 
Capsule twice as long as the calyx. 

In dry soil. May-August. Blaine County. 

III. COLLINSIA Nutt. 

Winter-annual or biennial herbs. Leaves opposite or 
verticillate. Flowers blue, pink, white, or variegated, ver- 
ticillate or solitary in the axils. Calyx carfipanulate, 5-cleft. 
Corolla irregular, 2-lipped. Stamens 4, didynamous. Cor¬ 
olla with a gland on the upper side of the tube near the 
base. Stigma capitate or 2-lobed. Capsule ovoid or glob¬ 
ose. Seeds peltate, concave on the inner side. 

1. Collinsia verna Nutt. Blue-eyed Mary. Glabrous or pu- 
berulent. Stem 6'-24' long, simple, or branched. Leaves opposite, 
the lower broadly ovate or orbicular, crenate or entire, slender-peti- 
oled. Middle leaves sessile or cordate-clasping, ovate or oblong, den¬ 
tate, l'-2' long, floral leaves ovate to spatulate, dentate or entire. 
Upper whorls 4-6-flowered. Corolla 6"-8" long, its lower lip blue, 
the upper purple or nearly white, the lobes emarginate or truncate. 
Capsule globose, shorter than the linear calyx-lobes. 

In moist soil. April-June. Wlichita and Arbuckle Mountains. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


165 


IV. VERONICA (Tourn.) L. 

Low, annual or perennial, caulescent herbs. Leaves op¬ 
posite or sometimes alternate, entire or toothed. Flowers 
axillary, racemose, or spicate. Sepals 4, slightly united at 
the base. Corolla whitish or blue, rotate, slightly irregu¬ 
lar, the lower lobe usually narrowest. Stamens 2, on either 
side of the upper corolla lobe. Ovary 2-celled. Capsule 
flat, emarginate, or 2-lobed. Seeds smooth or rough, flat¬ 
tened or concave on the sides. 

Erect; glabrous or glandular; capsule emarginate. 

1. V. pere grina. 

Diffuse; pubescent; capsule obcordate. 

2. V. arvensis. 

1. Veronica peregrima L. Purslane Speedwell. Glandular, 
pubescent, or nearly smooth, erect, 3'-12' high. The lowest leaves 
petioled or sessile, oval-oblong, toothed, the others sessile. The up¬ 
per leaves oblong-linear and entire, each with a short-pedicelled 
white flower in its axil. Flowers about 1" broad. Capsule nearly 
orbicular, obcordate, usually a little shorter than the calyx, many- 
seeded, the seeds flat. 

In moist soil and waste places. March-August. Frequent. 

2 Veroai|ica arvensis L. Corn or Wall Speedwell. Annual, 
pubescent. Simple or diffusely branched, with stems 3'-10' long. 
Lower leaves petioled, ovate, crenate. The uppermost sessile, lan¬ 
ceolate, commonly entire, each with a short, pedicelled, minute flower 
in its axil. Corolla blue or nearly white, 1" broad or less. Capsule 
broadly obovate, obcordate, 1" high. 

March-September. In fields, woods and waste places. Oklahoma 
County. 


V. CASTILLEJA Mutis. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate. Flowers 
red, yellow, purple, or white, in dense, leafy, bracted spikes. 
Calyx laterally flattened, 4-lobed, more deeply cleft above 
and below than on the sides. Corolla very irregular, 2-lipped. 
Upper lip arched, concave or keeled, entire, enclosing the 
4 didynamous stamens. Lower lip 3-lobed. Anther-sacs 
unequal, the outer attached by the middle, the inner by its 
apex, pendulous. Capsule ovoid or oblong. Seeds reticu¬ 
lated. 


166 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Plants villous-pubescent. 1. C. cocinea. 

Plants glabrous, woolly at the summit, or cinereous-pub- 
erulent. 2. C. cessili,flora. 

1. Oastilleja coccinea (L.) Spreng. Scarlet Painted Cup. 
Indian Paint-brush. Annual or biennial. Stein simple. Root-leaves 
clustered, mostly entire, obovate or oblong, those of the stem in¬ 
cised. The bracts 3-5-lobed or cleft, bright red or scarlet. Calyx 
about Ihe length of the pale yellow corolla, equally cleft on both 
sides. Capsule oblong, acute, 3"-6" long. 

In meadows and moist thickets. May-July. 

2. Castilleja sessiliflora Pursh. Downy Painted Cup. Peren¬ 
nial, cinereous-pubescent, very leafy. Stem 6'-15' high. Leaves 
sessile, l'-2' long, the lowest commonly linear, entire, the others 
mostly cleft. Bracts green, similar to the upper leaves. Corolla 
yellowish, 18" long, the upper lip about twice as long as the lower, 
the lobes of the latter linear. Capsule oblong-lanceolate, 6"-8" long. 

On dry prairies and hills. May-July. Comanche County. 


FAMILY 80. BIGNONIACE^E. Trumpet-Creeper Family. 

Trees, shrubs or woody vines, with opposite, compound 
or simple leaves, and mostly large and showy, clustered, 
terminal or axillary, more or less irregular flowers. Calyx 
inferior, gamosepalous. Corolla gamopetalous, funnel- 
form, campanulate, or tubular, 5-lobed, somewhat 2- 
lipped. Anther-bearing stamens 2 or 4, inserted on the 
tube of the corolla and alternate with its lobes. Ovary 
sessile or stalked, mostly 2-celled. Style slender. Stigma 
terminal, 2-lobed. Capsule 2-valved. 


I. CAT ALP A Scop. 

Trees. Leaves large, opposite, simple, petioled, decidu¬ 
ous. Flowers large, showy, white or mottled, in terminal 
panicles or corymbs. Calyx irregularly 2-lipped. Corolla 
tubular-bell-shaped, oblique, 5-lobed, 2-lipped. Fertile 
stamens 2, sterile stamens 3, short. Fruit a linear, 2- 
valved, many-seeded capsule. Seeds winged. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


167 


1. Catalpa speciosa Warder. Western Catalpa. A large tree 
with thick, rough bark. Leaves large, heart-shaped, or broadly ovate, 
long acuminate. Corolla l'-2' long, nearly white, faintly spotted 
within. Capsule thick-walled, 8'-20' long, nearly 10" in diameter. 

Planted for shade. May-June. 


FAMILY 81. ACANTHACEiE. Acanthus Family. 

Herbs or shrubs, with opposite, simple, ex-stipulate 
leaves, and irregular or nearly regular, perfect flowers. 
Calyx inferior, persistent, 4-5-parted or 4-5-cleft. Corolla 
gamopetalous, nearly regularly 5-lobed, or conspicuously 
2-lipped. Anther-bearing stamens 4, didynamous, or 2 
only. Ovary 2-celled. Ovules 2-10 in each cavity. Style 
filiform, simple. Stigmas 1 or 2. Capsule dry, 2-celled, 
2-valved. Seeds globose or orbicular, not winged, borne on 
curved projections from the placentae. 

Corolla convolute in the bud, nearly regular; stamens 4. 

I. Ruellia. 

Corolla imbricated in the bud, strongly 2-lipped; sta¬ 
mens 2. II. Dianthera. 


I. RUELLIA (Plumier) L. 

Perennial herbs or shrubs. Leaves entire or, rarely, 
dentate. Flowers large, violet, blue, white, or yellow, sol¬ 
itary or clustered in the axils. Calyx 5-cleft, or 5-parted. 
Corolla funnel-form or salver-form, the limb spreading, 
5-lobed. Stamens 4, stigma simple or of two unequal 
lobes. Capsule oblong or club-shaped. Seeds compressed, 
ovate, or orbicular. 

Calyx-segments linear-lanceolate, scarcely exceeding the 
capsule. 1- R. strepens. 

Calyx-segments filiform-linear, exceeding the capsule. 

2. R. ciliosa. 

1 . Ruellia strepens L. Smooth Ruellia. Glabrous or sparingly 


168 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


pubescent. Stem simple or branched, 4-sided, l°-4° high. Leaves 
oblong or ovate, 3'-6' long. Flowers solitary or several together in 
axils. Corolla blue, 18"-24" long. Capsule club-shaped, longer than 
or equaling the calyx. 

In dry woods. May-July. Frequent. 

2,. Ruellia ciliosa Pursh. Hairy Ruellia. Hirsute or pube¬ 
scent. Stem 12'-30' high. Leaves hairy, ciliate, oblong or ovate, 
sessile or nearly so, long. Flowers clustered or solitary in 

the axils. Corolla blue, l%'-2' long. Capsule shorter than the 
calyx. 

In dry soil. May-September. Common. 

II. DIANTHERA L. 

Herbs mostly perennial. Leaves opposite, entire or 
toothed. Flowers irregular, axillary, solitary or clustered 
in the axils. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 2-lipped. Upper lip 
erect, concave, entire or notched. The lower prominently 
veined, spreading, 3-lobed. Stamens 2, inserted on the 
throat of the corolla. Ovary 2-celled, 4-ovuled. Style sim¬ 
ple, acute. Stigma entire, or 2-lobed. Capsule flattened, 
narrowed below into a little stalk. Seeds flat, orbicular or 
ovate. 

1. Dianthera americana L. Dense-flowered Water Willow. 
Perennial, glabrous. Stem grooved and angled, usually simple, 
12'-30' high. Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 3'-6' long, en¬ 
tire. Flowers violet or nearly white, capitate-spicate at the ends 
of slender, axillary peduncles. Bractlets linear-subulate, shorter 
than the flowers. Corolla 5"-6" long, its tube shorter than the lips, 
the base of the lower lip rough and palate-like. Capsule 6" long. 

In waste and wet places. May-August. Comanche and Potta¬ 
watomie counties. 


FAMILY 82. PLANTAGINACEiE. Plantain Family. 

Annual or perennial, mostly acaulescent, herbs, with 
1-several-ribbed or nerved radical leaves, and small, per¬ 
fect, polygamous or monoecious flowers, bracteolate in 
dense, terminal, long-scaped spikes or heads, or, rarely, 
solitary. Calyx 4-parted, inferior, persistent. Corolla 
hypogynous, scarious or membranous, mostly marcescent, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


169 


4-lobed. Stamens 4 or 2, inserted on the tube or throat 
of the corolla. Ovary sessile, superior, 1-2-celled, or 
falsely 3-4-celled. Style filiform, simple. Ovules 1-sever¬ 
al in each cavity of the ovary, peltate. Fruit apyxis, cir- 
cumscissle at or below the middle, or an indehiscent nut¬ 
let. 


I. PLANT AGO (Toum.) L. 

Acaulescent or leafy-stemmed herbs, the scapes arising 
from the axils of the basal or alternate leaves, bearing 
terminal spikes or heads of small greenish or purplish 
flowers. Calyx-segments equal, or two of them larger. 
Corolla salver-form, the tube cylindric, or constricted at 
the throat, the limb spreading in anthesis. Fruit a pyxis, 
mostly 2-celled. Seeds with flattened or concave faces. 
Flowers mainly dioecious; corolla lobes erect or closed 
over the capsules. 

Stamens 2; leaves linear to filiform. 

1. P. elongata. 

Stamens 4; leaves with comparatively broad blades. 
Bracts and calyx-lobes obtuse; seeds golden yellow. 

2. P. virginica. 

Bracts and calyx-lobes acute or acuminate; seeds 
red or fuscous. 3. P. occidentalis. 

Flowers perfect; corolla-lobes spreading or reflexed on 
top of the capsules. 

Annuals; heterogenous. 

Bracts not aristate, not over twice as long as the 
flowers. 4. P. Purshii. 

Bracts aristate, 2 or more times as long as the 
flowers. 

Bracts linear-subulate to tapering-linear; plants 
not drying dark brown. 5. P. spinulosa. 

Bracts strictly linear, except at the apex; plants 
drying dark brown. 6. P, aristata. 


170 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Perennials; proterogynous. 

Calyx-lobes various, the lower united, the upper 
nearly distinct. 7. P. la?iceolata. 

Calyx-lobes all essentially distinct. 

Capsules conic or oblong-conic, circumscissile 
below the middle. 8. P. Rugelii. 

Capsules ovoid, circumscissile at about the mid¬ 
dle. 9. P. major. 

1. Plantago elongata Pursh. Slender Plantain. Minutely 

pubescent, bigh. Leaves linear to filiform, entire. Capsule 

short-ovoid, 4-seeded, little exceeding the calyx and bract. 

Sandy soil. April-August. Kingfisher County. 

2. Plantago virginica L. Dwarf Plantain. Hairy or hoary- 

pubescent, 2'-16' high. Leaves oblong, varying to obovate and spat- 
ulate-lanceolate, 3-5-nerved, slightly or coarsely and sparingly toothed. 
Spikes mostly dense, long. Mature corolla slender, cylindric. 

Seeds usually 2, brown or yellowish. 

In dry soil. March-July. Frequent. 

3. Plantago occidemitalis Dec. Western Plantain. Annual or 
biennial, pubescent. Leaves 3'-8' long or more, spatulate to spat- 
ulate-lanceolate, 3-5-nerved, entire to strongly repand-lobed. Scape 
4'-8' tall. Spikes l'-6' long, densely-flowered. Flowers dioecious. 
Corolla smooth, lobes narrowly ovate, subcordate. Capsule circum¬ 
scissile below the middle. 

In dry soil. April-July. 

4. Plantago Purshii R. & S. Pursh’s Plantain. White, with 
silky wool. Leaves 1-3-nerved, varying from oblong-linear to filiform. 
Spikes slender, cylindric, very dense, 1^4'-6' long, woolly. Bracts not 
exceeding the calyx. Sepals scarious. 

On dry plains and prairies. May-August. Common. 

5. Plantago spinulosa Decne. Large-bracted Plantain. An¬ 
nual, pale green, pubescent. Leaves 2'-5' long, linear to spatulate- 
linear, callous-tipped, entire. 3-nerved. Scapes 2'-4' high, villous. 
Spikes rather interrupted, l'-3' long, villous. Bracts linear-subulate, 
3"-8" long. Flow r ers perfect. Corolla glabrous, lobes ovate, cordate. 
Capsule circumscissile at the middle. Seeds dark brown. 

On dry plains and prairies. May-October. Frequent. 

6. Plantago aristata Michx. Large-bracted Plantain. Annual 
dark green, villous or glabrate. Scapes 6'-18' high. Leaves linear, 
entire, 3-ribbed. Spikes very dense, cylindric, l'-6' long, pubescent 
but not woolly. Bracts linear, 5"-15" long. Capsule circumscissile 
at the middle. 

On dry plains and prairies. May-October. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


171 


7. Plantago lanceolata L. English or Ripple Plantain. Mostly 
hairy. Scape grooved-angled, at length much longer than the lan¬ 
ceolate or lanceolate-oblong leaves, slender, 8'-28' high. Spike dense, 
at first capitate, in age cylindrical. Bracts and sepals scarious, 
brownish. 

In fields and waste places. April-November. Frequent. 

8. Plantago Rugellii Decene. Rugel’s Plantain. Leaves long- 
petioled, thin in texture, crimson at base, mostly ovate, entire or 
coarsely dentate, l'-10' long, 3-11-ribbed. Spikes long and thin, at¬ 
tenuate at the apex. Capsules oblong-cylindric, circumscissile much 
below the middle, 4-9-seeded. 

In fields, woods and waste places. May-September. Payne Coun¬ 
ty. 

9. Plantago major L. Common Plantain. Perennial, glabrous, 
or somewhat pubescent. Leaves long-petioled, firm in texture, mostly 
ovate, entire, or coarsely dentate, l'-10' long, 3-11-ribbed. Scapes 
S'-3' high. Spikes linear-cylindric, usually very dense, 2'-10' long. 
Flowers perfect, proterogynous. Capsule circumscissile at about the 
middle. 

In waste places. May-September. Payne County. 


FAMILY 83. RUBIACEiE. Madder Family. 

Erect or diffuse, usually tufted herbs, with opposite, 
entire, often ciliate, leaves, and small, blue, purple, or 
white, mostly dimorphous flowers. Calyx-tube globose or 
ovoid, 4-lobed, the lobes distinct. Corolla funnel-form or 
salver-form, 4-lobed, the lobes valvate, the throat globose- 
didymous, or emarginate at the apex. Seeds few or sev¬ 
eral in each cavity, peltate, more or less concave, not 
angled. Seed-coats reticulate or roughened. 

Leaves opposite, stipulate. I. Houstonia. 

Leaves appearing verticillate; herbs; ovule 1 in each 
cavity of the ovary. II. Galium. 

I. HOUSTONIA L. 

Erect or diffuse, usually tufted herbs. Leaves op¬ 
posite, entire, often ciliate. Flowers small, blue, 
purple or white, mostly dimorphous. Calyx-tube globose 


172 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


or ovoid, 4-lobed. Corolla funnel-form or salver-form, 4- 
lobed, the lobes valvate. Stamens 4, inserted on the tube 
or throat of the corolla. Ovary 2-celled. Stigmas 2, lin¬ 
ear. Capsule partly inferior, more or less distinctly 2- 
lobed. Seeds more or less concave. 

Plants l'-7' high; peduncles 1-flowered. 

Calyx-lobes narrow, about equaling the capsule. 

1. H. patens. 

Calyx-lobes broad, much exceeding the capsule. 

2. H. minima. 

Plants 4'-18' high; flowers cymose. 

3. H. angustifolia. 

1. Houstonia patens Ell. Small Bluet. Annual, glabrous or 
nearly so, branched from the base, l'-6' high. Lower and basal 
leaves oval or ovate, 5"-6" long, the upper narrower and sessile. 
Peduncles axillary and terminal, 1-flowered. Corolla violet-blue or 
purple, 3"-4" broad. Capsule compressed, didymous. 

In dry soil. March-April. 

2. Houstonia minima Beck. Least Bluets. Annual, spreading 

or diffuse, high. Lower and basal leaves oval or ovate, the 

upper oblong, sessile. Peduncles axillary and terminal, 3"-12" long. 
Flowers 4"-5" broad. Corolla violet or purple. Capsule compressed, 
didymous. 

In dry soil. March-April. Common. 

3. Houstonia angustifolia Michx. Narrow-leaved Houstonia. 
Perennial by a deep root, glabrous, usually branched, 12'-24' high. 
Leaves linear, 6"-18" long, l"-3" wide, or the lowest narrowly spat- 
ulate, usually with numerous smaller ones fasicled in the axils. Flow¬ 
ers in terminal, dense, cymose clusters. Corolla white or purplish, 
from funnel-form to salver-form, about 2" long. Capsule compressed- 
obovoid. 

In dry, open places. May-July. Common. 

IT. GALIUM L. 

Annual or perennial herbs, with 4- angled stems and 
branches. Leaves apparently verticillate. Flowers small, 
white, green, yellow or purple, in axillary or terminal cymes 
or panicles. Flowers perfect, or in some species dioecious. 
Calyx-tube ovoid or globose. Corolla rotate, 4-lobed. Sta¬ 
mens 4. Ovary 2-celled. Styles 2, short. Stigmas capitate. 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


173 


Fruit didymous, dry or fleshy, smooth, tuberculate, or his¬ 
pid. 

Annuals; fruit densely bristly-hispid. 1. G. Aparine. 

Perennials. 

Fruit bristly hispid. 

Leaves in 4’s, 1-nerved. 2. G. pilosum. 

Leaves in 4’s, 3-nerved. 3. G. circaezans. 

Fruit smooth or warty. 4. G. tinctorium. 

1. Galium Aparine L. Cleavers. Annual, weak, scrambling 
over bushes, 2°-5° long, the stems retrosely hispid on the angles. 
Leaves in 6’s or 8’s oblanceolate to linear, l,'-3' long, the margins 
and midrib very rough. Flowers in 1-3 flowered cymes in the upper 
axils. Fruit densely covered with short, hooked bristles. 

Woods and waste places. April-September. Common. 

2. Galium pilosum Ait. Hairy Bedstraw. Perennial, hirsute- 
pubescent or glabrate. Stems ascending, branched, l°-2% 0 long. 
Leaves in 4’s, oval or oval-ovate, punctate, 1-nerved, 4"-12" long. 
Peduncles axillary and terminal. Cymes numerous but few-flowered. 
Flowers yellowish-purple. Fruit dry, densely hispid. 

In dry or sandy soil. May-August. Lincoln and Cleveland 
counties. 

3. Galium circa*zans MIchx. Wild Liquorice or Cross-Cleav¬ 
ers. Perennial, pubescent or glabrate, branched, 12'-24' high. Leaves 
in 4’s, oval to oval-lanceolate, 3-nerved, 6"-18" long, cymes divari¬ 
cately branched. Flowers greenish. Fruit hispid. 

In dry woods. May-July. Frequent. 

4. Galium tinctorium L. Stiff Marsh Bedstraw. Perennial. 
Stem 6'-15' high, branched almost to the base. Stem 4-angled, near¬ 
ly glabrous. Leaves commonly in 4’s, linear to lanceolate, 6"-12" 
long, 1-nerved, the margins and midrib roughish. Flowers terminal 
in clusters of 2 or 3. Corolla white, 1"-1%" broad, 4-parted. Fruit 
smooth. 

Damp, shady places, wet meadows and swamps. May-July. 
Cleveland County. 


FAMILY 84. CAPRIFOLIACE^. Honeysuckle Family. 

Shrubs, trees, vines, or perennial herbs, with opposite, 
simple or pinnate leaves, and perfect, regular or irregu¬ 
lar, mostly cymose flowers. Calyx-tube adnate to the ov- 


174 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


ary, its limb 3-5-toothed or 3-5-lobed. Corolla gamopetal- 
ous, rotate, campanulate, funnel-form, urn-shaped, or tu¬ 
bular, the tube often gibbous at the base, the limb 5-lobed, 
sometimes 2-lipped. Stamens 5, inserted on the tube of 
the corolla and alternate with its lobes. Ovary inferior, 
1-6-celled. Stigma capitate, or 2-5-lobed. Fruit a 1-6- 
celled berry, drupe, or capsule. Seeds oblong, globose, or 
angular. 

Corolla rotate or urn-shaped; flowers in compound 

cymes; styles deeply 2-5-lobed; shrubs or trees. 

Leaves pinnate; drupe 3-5-seeded. I. Sambucus. 

Leaves simple; drupe 1-seeded. II. Viburnum. 

Corolla tubular or campanulate, often 2-lipped; style 
slender. 

Erect, perennial herbs; leaves'connate. 

III. Triosteum. 

Shrubs or vines. IV. Symphoricarpos. 

I. SAMBUCUS (Tourn.) L. 

Shrubs with odd-pinnate leaves. Calyx limb minute or 
wanting. Flowers very many, small, white, in compound 
cymes. Corolla with a small, somewhat urn-shaped tube, 
and a flattish, spreading, 5-cleft limb. Stamens 5. Stig¬ 
mas 3, sessile. Fruit a globular, pulpy drupe, 3-seeded, 
appearing like a berry. 

1. Sainbucus canadensis L. American Elder. A shrub, 4°-10° 
high, glabrous or very nearly so, the stems but little woody, the 
younger ones with large white pith. Leaflets 5-11, usually 7, ovate 
or oval, 2'-5' long, sharply serrate, sometimes stipellate. Cymes 
convex. Flowers white, about 1*4" broad. Drupe deep purple or 
black. 

In moist soil. May-July. Frequent. 

II. VIBURNUM (Tourn.) L. 

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves simple, entire, dentate 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


175 


or lobed, with or without stipules. Flowers small, white, 
in terminal cymes. The outer flowers of the cyme some¬ 
times greatly enlarged and sterile. Calyx-tube very small, 
5-toothed. Corolla wheel-shaped or bell-shaped, 5-lobed. 
Stamens 5, inserted on the tube of the corolla. Ovary 
1-3-celled. Style short, 3-lobed. Fruit a 1-seeded drupe. 

Leaves and scarcely-winged petioles glabrous, or nearly 
so. 1. V. pruni folium. 

Veins of lower leaf-surfaces and winged petioles tomen- 
tose. 2. V. rufidulum. 

1. Viburnum pr unifolium L. Black Haw. A shrub or small 
tree. Leaves short-petioled, ovate or broadly oval, l'-3' long, finely 
serrulate. Petioles rarely margined. Cyme sessile, several-rayed, 
2'-4' broad. Drupe oval, bluish-black and glaucous. 

In dry soil. April-June. Common. 

2. Viburnum rufidulum Raf. Southern Black Haw. A small 
tree, becoming 20° high. Leaves elliptic to obovate, finely and sharp¬ 
ly serrate or serrulate, the veins brown-tomentose beneath. Petioles 
3"-8" long, winged, brown-tomentose. Cymes large, the principal 
rays 3-5, mostly 4. Flowers 2Y 2 "-3" broad. Drupe oval, blue with 
a bloom. 

In woods and thickets. April-May. Common. 

III. TRIOSTEIIM L. 

Perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, connate-perfoliate or 
sessile, narrowed below the middle. Flowers axillary, per¬ 
fect, solitary or clustered, sessile, yellowish, green, or pur¬ 
plish, 2-bracted. Calyx-tube ovoid, 5-lobed, foliaceous. Cor¬ 
olla-tube campanulate, gibbous at the base. Stamens 5, in¬ 
serted on the corolla-tube. Ovary 3-5-celled. Stigma 3-5- 
lobed. Drupe coriaceous, orange or red, enclosing 2-3 1- 
seeded nutlets. 

1. Triosteum perfoliatum L. Fever-wort. Stem finely gland¬ 
ular-pubescent, 2°-4° high. Leaves ovate to broadly oval, 4'-9' long, 
2'-4' wide, connate-perfoliate, soft-pubescent beneath, somewhat hairy 
above, the margins entire or sinuate. Bracts linear. Corolla dull 
purplish-brown, greenish below, 6"-10" long, viscid-pubescent. Fila¬ 
ments bearded. Drupe obovoid-globose, orange-yellow, densely and 
finely pubescent. 

In rich soil. May-July. 


176 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


IV. SYMPHORICARPOS (Dill.) Ludwig. 

Shrubs. Leaves opposite, simple, short-petioled, decidu¬ 
ous. Flowers small, white or pink, perfect, in axillary or 
terminal clusters. Calyx-tube globose, 4-5 toothed. Cor¬ 
olla campanulate or salver-form, regular, or sometimes gib¬ 
bous at the base, 4-5-lobed. Stamens 4-5, inserted on the 
corolla. Ovary 4-celled, 2 of the cells with a single, fertile 
ovule in each, the other cells with several, abortive ovules. 
Stigma capitate, or 2-lobed. Fruit an ovoid or globose 4- 
celled 2-seeded berry. 

1. Symphoricarpos Symphoriearpos (L.) Macm. Coral-berry or 
Buck-bush. A shrub, 2°-5° high, purplish, usually pubescent. Leaves 
oval or ovate, entire or undulate, glabrous above, soft pubescent be¬ 
neath, 12"-18" long. Corolla campanulate, pinkish, about 2" long. 
Style bearded. Berry purplish red, persistent. 

Along streams and ravines. June-July. Common. 


FAMILY 85. VALERIANACE7E. Valerian Family. 

Herbs, with opposite leaves, no stipules, and usually 
small, perfect or polygamo-dioecious flowers, in corymbed, 
panicled, or capitate cymes. Calyx-tube adnate to the 
ovary. Corolla gamopetalous, epigynous, somewhat ir¬ 
regular, its tube narrowed, and sometimes gibbous or 
spurred at the base, mostly 5-lobed. Stamens 1-4, in¬ 
serted on the corolla and alternate with its lobes. Ovary 
inferior, 1-3-celled. Fruit indehiscent, dry. 

I. VALERIANELLA (Tourn.) Mill. 

Annual, dichotomously branched herbs. Basal leaves 
tufted, entire, those of the stem sessile, often dentate. 
Flowers in terminal, bracted cymes. Corolla small, white, 
blue, or pink, nearly regular. Calyx-limb toothed or want¬ 
ing. Corolla-tube narrowed at the base, the limb spread¬ 
ing, 5-lobed. Stamens 3. Style 3-lobed. Fruit 3-celled, 2 
of the cells empty. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


177 


Corolla funnel-form, the short tube not longer than the 
limb or about equaling it. I. V. radiata. 

Corolla salver-form, purplish, the slender tube much 
longer than the limb. 2. V. longiflora. 

1. Valerianclla radiata (L.) Dufr. Beaked corn salad. Glab¬ 
rous or minutely pubescent, 6'-18' high. Lower leaves spatulate, en¬ 
tire, upper lanceolate, usually dentate. Bracts small, lanceolate. 
Corolla white, 1" long. Fruit ovate-tetragonal, finely pubescent or 
glabrate, 1" loug. 

In moist soil. April-July. Common. 

2. Valerianella longiflora (T. & G.) Walt. Long-flowered Corn 
Salad. Glabrous, erect, 6'-12' high, annual. Leaves oblong, l'-2t4' 
long. The lower spatulate, smaller, somewhat clasping. Corolla 
salver-form, pink or purplish, about 6" long. Bracts with small, 
gland-tipped teeth. Fruit broadly ovate or nearly, orbicular in out¬ 
line. 

Rocky soil. April-May. 


FAMILY 86. CUCURBITACE^. Gourd Family. 

Climbing or trailing, herbaceous vines, usually with 
tendrils. Leaves alternate, petioled; generally palmately- 
lobed or dissected. Flowers solitary or racemose, monoe¬ 
cious. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary, its limb campan- 
ulate or tubular, usually 6-lobed. Petals usually 5, in¬ 
serted on the limb of the calyx, separate, or united into 
a gamopetalous corolla. Stamens mostly 3 (sometimes 
1) 2 of them with 2-celled anthers, the other with a 1- 
celled anther. Ovary 1-3-celled. Fruit a pepo, some¬ 
times dry. 

Flowers large, yellow; prostrate vine. I. Pepo. 

Flowers small, white or greenish; climbing vines. 

II. Cyclanthera. 


I. PEPO (Tourn.) Mill. 

Rough, prostrate vines, rooting at the nodes, with 


178 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


branched tendrils. Leaves lobed, mostly cordate at the 
base. Flowers large, yellow, axillary, monoecious. Calyx- 
tube campanulate, usually 5-lobed. Corolla campanulate, 
5-lobed to about the middle, the lobes re-curving. Stam- 
inate flowers with 3 stamens and no pistil. Pistillate 
flowers with 1-pistil. Ovary oblong. Stigmas 3-5, each 
2-lobed, papillose. Staminodia 3. Fruit large, fleshy, 
with a thick rind. 

1. Pepo fcetidissima (H. B. K.) Britton. Missouri Gourd. Stem 
stout, scabrous, trailing to a length of 15°-25°. Root large, carrot¬ 
shaped. Leaves ovate-triangular, thick and somewhat fleshy, cordate 
or truncate at the base, 4'-12' long, denticulate, rough above, canes- 
cent beneath. Flowers mostly solitary. Corolla 2%'-4' long. Pepo 
globose, 2'-3' in diameter, smooth. 

In dry soil. Miay-September. Common. 


II. CYCLANTHERA Schrad. 

Annual or perennial, climbing, mostly glabrous vines, 
with forked or simple tendrils. Leaves digitately com¬ 
pound. Flowers small, white or greenish, monoecious. 
Calyx cup-shaped, 5-toothed. Corolla rotate, 5-parted. 
Staminate flowers racemose or panicled, the stamens 
united into a central column. Pistillate flowers solitary. 
Ovary obliquely ovoid, beaked, 1-3-celled. Fruit spiny, 
obliquely ovoid, beaked. 

1. Cyclanthera dissecta (T. & G.) Arn. Cut-leaved Cyclan- 
tiiera. Annual, stem smooth and angular, glabrous, branching, climb¬ 
ing to a height of 3°-4°. Leaves digitately 3-7-foliolate, the leaflets 
rough on both sides, dentate, or somewhat lobed. Staminate flowers 
racemose. Pistillate flowers solitary. Fruit narrowed at the base, 
slightly oblique, about 1' long, armed with slender spines. 

Thickets. May-September. Wichita Mountains. 


FAMILY 87. CAMPANULACE7E. Bellflower Family. 

Herbs with milky juice. Leaves alternate, without 
stipules. Flowers epigynous, actinomorphic, not clus¬ 
tered. Calyx 5-lobed. Corolla regular, bell-shaped, 5- 
lobed. Stamens 5, usually free from the corolla and not 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


179 


united. Style 1, usually hairy above. Stigmas 2 or more. 
Fruit a capsule, 2 or more celled, many-seeded. 

I. SPECULARIA Heist. 

Annual or biennial herbs. Leaves alternate, sessile, 
or clasping. Flowers of two kinds, the earlier ones cleis- 
togamous, close-fertilized in the bud, with a calyx of 3-4 
sepals and an undeveloped corolla, the later ones with 5 
sepals and a rotate or funnel-form corolla. Stamens 5. 
Ovary 2-uelled. Stigmas 3. Capsule prismatic or cylin- 
dric. 

Capsule narrowly oblong. 

Leaves sessile; capsule-valves near the top. 

1. S. biflora. 

Leaves cordate-clasping; capsule-valves at about the 
middle. 2. S. perfoliata. 

Capsule linear-cylindric; leaves sessile; western. 

3. S. leptocarpa. 

1. Specularia biflora (R. & P.) F. & M. Small Venus’ Look¬ 
ing-glass. Glabrous, or nearly so. Stem simple or branched, rough- 
ish on the angles, 6'-2° high. Leaves ovate, oblong, or upper lance¬ 
olate, crenate with a few teeth, or entire, 4"-10" long. Capsule 
oblong-cylindric. 

In dry soil. April-July. Frequent. 

2. Specularia perfoliata (L.) A. DC. Venus’ Looking-glass. 
Pubescent. Stem densely leafy, simple or branched from near the 
base, retrorse-hispid on the angles, 6'-24' long. Leaves orbicular or 
broadly ovate, strongly cordate-clasping or the lower nearly sessile, 
crenate-dentate or sometimes entire. Flowers solitary or 2-3 together 
in the axils, and a rotate blue or violet corolla, 5"-10" broad. Cap¬ 
sule oblong, or narrowly turbinate. 

In dry woods and waste places. May-September. Common. 

3. Specularia leptocarpa (Nutt.) A. Gray. Western Venus’ 
Looking-glass. Hirsute, or nearly glabrous. Stem simple or 
branched from the base, 6'-15' high. Leaves linear-lanceolate to ob¬ 
long, sessile, not clasping, entire or sparingly denticulate, 6"-12" 
long. Flowers sessile and usually solitary in the axils. Corolla 
rotate, 5"-9" broad. Capsule linear-cylindric. 

In dry soil. May-August. Infrequent. 


180 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


FAMILY 88. LOBELIACEiE. Lobelia Family. 

Herbs, often with milky sap which contains a nar¬ 
cotic-acid poison, with alternate, ex-stipulate, simple, en¬ 
tire, toothed or pinnately parted leaves and solitary, 
spicate, racemose or paniculate flowers. Calyx-tube ad- 
nate to the ovary, its limb 5-lobed or 5-parted. Corolla 
gamopetalous, irregular, often bilabiate, its limb 5- 
lobed. Stamens 5, inserted with the corolla. Ovary 2-5- 
celled. Stigma fringed. Fruit a 1-5-celled capsule, or a 
berry. Seeds numerous, smooth or furrowed. 

I. LOBELIA L. 

Herbs. Leaves alternate, simple, entire, toothed or 
pinnately parted. Flowers solitary, spicate, racemose or 
paniculate. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary, 5-lobed or 5- 
parted. Corolla gamopetalous, irregular,’ often bilabiate, 
5-lobed. Stamens 5, inserted with the corolla. Ovary 2-5- 
celled. Stigma fringed. Fruit a 1-5-celled capsule, or a 
berry. 

1. Lobelia leptostachys A. DO. Spiked Lobelia. Perennial or 
biennial, puberulent. Stem 2°-4° high. Basal leaves oval or ob- 
ovate. Stem leaves spatulate, oblong, or lanceolate, denticulate or 
entire. Spike-like raceme elongated, usually dense. Bracts linear, 
glabrous. Calyx lobes linear-subulate, the sinuses with subulate, de- 
flexed auricles. Flowers blue, 4"-5" long. 

In dry soil. May-August. Comanche County. 


FAMILY 89. CICHORIACEiE. Chicory Family. 

Herbs, almost always with milky, acrid, or bitter juice, 
alternate or basal leaves, and yellow, rarely pink, blue, 
purple, or white flowers in involucrate heads. Bracts of 
the involucre in one to several series. Receptacle of the 
head flat or flattish, naked, scaly, smooth, pitted, or 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


181 


honeycombed. Flowers all alike, perfect. Calyx-tube 
completely adnate to the ovary, its limb (pappus) of 
scales, or simple or plumose bristles, or both, or wanting. 
Corolla gamopetalous, with a short or long tube, and a 
strap-shaped, usually 5-toothed limb (ray). Anthers con¬ 
nate into a tube around the style. Ovary 1-celled. Fruit 
an achene. 

Pappus of scales, or of scales and bristles, or none. 

Pappus none; achenes 8-10-ribbed. I. Serinia. 

Pappus of rounded scales, with or without an inner 
series of bristles. 

Bracts of the involucre 9-18, reflexed in fruit, not 
keeled; pappus-bristles usually more numer¬ 
ous than the scales. 

Annuals; pappus-scales 5, obovate or rounded. 

II. Krigia. 

Perennials; pappus-scales 10-15, linear or oblong, 
minute. III. Cynthia. 

Bracts of the involucre 5-8, erect in fruit, keeled; 
pappus-bristles and scales 5. IV. Cymbia. 

Pappus, at least some of it, of plumose bristles. 

V. Tragopogon. 

Pappus, of simple bristles or of some soft white scales. 
Achenes spinulose, or with short processes near the 
summit. VI. Leontodon. 

Achenes smooth, or papillose, not spinulose toward 
the summit. 

Achenes flattened. VII. Sonchus. 

Achenes cylindric, or prismatic. 

Pappus-bristles not surrounded by villous ring at 
base. VIII. Agoseris. 


182 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Pappus-bristles surrounded by a villous white ring 
at base. IX. Sitilias. 


I. SERINIA Raf. 

Low, glaucescent, branching annual herbs. Leaves al¬ 
ternate, clasping, entire, or lobed, and few, small, long- 
peduncled heads of yellow flowers. Involucre broadly 
campanulate, its bracts about 8, equal, membranous, be¬ 
coming concave after flowering. Receptacle flat, naked. 
Rays truncate and 5-toothed. Achenes obovoid, 8-10- 
ribbed, contracted at the base, rounded at the summit. 
Pappus none. 

1. Serinia oppositifolia (Raf.) Kuntze. Serinia. Glabrous 
throughout, or slightly glandular-pubescent along the ends of the 
peduncles, branched from the base, 4'-10' high. Basal and lower 
leaves petioled, oblong-lanceolate, or spatulate in outline, entire, 
lobed or pinnatifid, 3'-5' long. Upper leaves sessile, clasping, alter¬ 
nate, usually entire. Heads broad. 

In dry soil. March-May. Common. 


II. KRIGIA Schreb. 

Small, annual or perennial herbs. Leaves mostly basal, 
toothed or lyrate. Head of yellow flowers, solitary at the 
end of the scape. Involucre campanulate, in 2 series. 
Receptacle flat, naked. Rays truncate, 5-toothed. Achenes 
turbinate, 15-20-ribbed, truncate. Pappus in 2 series, the 
outer of 5 thin, broad, rounded scales, the inner of 10 
or more slender naked bristles. 

1. Krigia virginica (L.) Willd. Carolina Dwarf Dandelion. 
Annual, acaulescent. Scapes several, l'-15' high, becoming branched 
and leafy. Leaves all basal, spatulate, lanceolate or linear, pinnat¬ 
ifid, sinuate, lobed, dentate or rarely entire, l'-6' long. Head 3"-7" 
broad. 

In dry sandy soil. April-August. 

III. CYNTHIA D. Don. 

Perennial herbs, with tufted, basal leaves, the large, 
many-flowered heads at the ends of simple or branched 
scapes. Flowers orange or yellow. Bracts of the involu- 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


183 


ere 9-18, reflexed in fruit, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 
not keeled. Pappus of 10-15 small scales and as many 
long bristles or more. 

1. Cynthia Dandelion L. Dwarf Dandelion. Perennial 
acaulescent, glabrous and somewhat glaucous. Scape G'-18', high. 
Stolons filiform, bearing globose tubers. Leaves all basal, linear- 
lanceolate to spatulate, entire, denticulate, sinuate or pinnatifid, 
3'-6' long. Head about V broad. 

In moist soil. April-June. Frequent. 


IV. CYMBIA (T. & G.) Standley. 

An annual, acaulescent herb, the leaves forming ro¬ 
settes, the scape monocephalous. Involucral bracts 5-8, 
ovate to ovate-lanceolate. Receptacle naked. Rays yel¬ 
low, 5-toothed. Achenes turbinate, ribbed. Pappus an 
outer series of 5 obovate scales, and an inner series of 5 
bristles, much longer than the scales. 

1. Cymbia occidentalis (Nutt.) Standley. Western Dwarf 
Dandelion. Scapes tufted, 2'-8' high, usually glandular, sometimes 
glabrous, bearing a single head 5"-10" broad. Leaves basal, lance¬ 
olate to obovate, entire to pinnatifid. 

Prairies. April-May. Oklahoma and Kingfisher counties. 

V. TRAGOPOGON (Tourn.) L. 

Biennial or perennial, somewhat succulent herbs, with 
fleshy tap-roots. Leaves alternate, entire, linear-lanceo¬ 
late, long-acuminate, clasping at the base. Large heads 
of yellow or purple flowers. Involucre cylindric or nar- 
rowly-campanulate, its bracts in one series, acuminate, 
united at the base. Rays truncate, 5-toothed. Achenes 
linear, terete, or 5-angled, 5-10-ribbed, terminated by 
slender beaks. Pappus-bristles in one series, plumose, 
connate at the base, the plume-branches interwebbed. 

1. Tragopogon porrifolius L. Oyster Plant or Salsify. Ped¬ 
uncles very much thickened and hollow for l'-3' below the heads. 
Heads 2'-4' broad. Bracts of the involucre linear-lanceolate, acum¬ 
inate, usually much longer than the purple rays. 

In fields and waste places. April-October. Oklahoma County. 


184 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


VI. LEONTODON L. 

Perennial, acaulescent herbs. Leaves basal, tufted, 
pinnatifid, or sinuate-dentate. Large heads of yellow 
flowers, solitary at the ends of naked hollow scapes. In¬ 
volucre oblong or campanulate, its inner bracts in 1 series 
of shorter, somewhat spreading ones. Receptacle flat, 
naked. Rays truncate, 5-toothed. Achenes oblong or lin¬ 
ear-fusiform, 4-5-angled, 5-10 nerved, roughened or spin- 
ulose, at least above, tapering into a very slender beak. 
Pappus of numerous, filiform, unequal, simple, persistent 
bristles. 

1. Leontodon Taraxacum L. Dandelion. Leaves coafsely pin¬ 
natifid, sinuate-dentate, rarely sub-entire. Heads l'-2' broad, orange- 
yellow. Involucral bracts not glaucous, the outer elongated, con¬ 
spicuously reflexed. Achene olive-green or brownish, bluntly muric- 
ate above, its beak 2-3 times its length. Pappus white. 

In fields and waste places. A bad weed in lawns. January- 
December. Common. 

VII. SONCHUS (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial. Leaves mostly toothed or pin- 
nately cut, prickly margined. Heads in corymbs or pan¬ 
icles. Bracts in several series, the outer shorter. Recep¬ 
tacles naked. Flowers yellow. Rays truncate, 5-toothed. 
Achenes oval to oblong, compressed, ribbed, truncate at 
the apex. Pappus of numerous soft, white hairs. 

1. Sonclius asfper (L.) Hill. Spiny Sow-Thistle. Annual. 
Leaves lobed or sometimes pinnatifid, undivided, spinulose-dentate, 
the lower and basal ones obovate or spatulate, petioled, the upper 
oblong or lanceolate clasping by an auricled base. Heads l'-broad 
or less. Flowers pale yellow. 

In waste places. May-November. Common. 

VIII. AGOSERIS Raf. 

Acaulescent, perennial herbs with mostly narrow, en¬ 
tire, toothed, or pinnatifid basal leaves, and large scapose 
heads of yellow, orange, or purplish flowers. Involucre 
narrowly campanulate or cylindric, its bracts imbricated 
in several series, appressed, the outer successively short¬ 
er, herbaceous, not thickened. Achenes oblong or linear, 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


185 


terete, 10-ribbed, beaked. Pappus of numerous simple 
white bristles. 

1. Agoseris cuspidata (Pursh.) D. Dietr. Prairie False Dan¬ 
delion. Leaves linear, pubescent or glabrate, 4'-8' long, their mar¬ 
gins conspicuously white-tomentose and crisped, or entire. Scape 
tomentose. Head l'-2f broad. 

In dry soil. April-July. Frequent. 

IX. SITILIAS Raf. 

Annual or perennial, with alternate or basal leaves, and 
mostly large, solitary or few heads of yellow flowers, borne 
on long, usually bracted peduncles. Involucre oblong or 
campanulate, bracts in several series. Rays truncate, 5- 
toothed. Achenes oblong or fusiform, 5-riobed, rough¬ 
ened or hirsute, abruptly narrowed into a long, filiform 
beak. Pappus of numerous soft, simple, brownish, some¬ 
what unequal bristles, surrounded at the base by a villous 
white ring. 

Stem leafy, usually branched; plant glabrous, or near¬ 
ly so. 1. S. caroliniana, 

Scape naked, monocephalous; plant hirsute, or pubes¬ 
cent. 2. S. grandiflora. 

1. Sitilias caroliniana (Walt.) Raf. Leafy-stemmed False 
Dandelion. Annual or biennial, glabrous or nearly so. Stem leafy, 
usually branched, l°-3° high. Basal leaves oblong or oblong-lance¬ 
olate, pinnatifid, lobed, coarsely dentate or some of them entire, 3'-8' 
long. Stem-leaves sessile or partly clasping, the upper lanceolate, 
entire. Heads 1 or several, l'-l%' broad. 

In dry fields. April-July. Infrequent. 

2, Sitilias grandiflora (Nutt.) Greene. Rough False Dande¬ 
lion. Hirsute or pubescent. Root tuberous-thickened. Leaves all 
basal, oblong or spatulate in outline, deeply pinnatifid, 3'-7' long. 
Scape naked or sometimes with a small leaf near its base. Heads 
solitary, l'-2' broad. 

On prairies. April-June. Common. 


FAMILY 90. COMPOSITAA3. Thistle Family. 
Herbs, rarely shrubs, with watery or resinous sap, and 


186 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


opposite, alternate or basal, ex-stipulate leaves. Flowers 
perfect, pistillate, or neutral, or sometimes monoecious or 
dioecious, borne on a common receptacle, forming heads, 
subtended by an involucre of few to many bracts, ar¬ 
ranged in one or more series. Receptacle naked, or with 
chaffy scales subtending the flowers. Calyx-tube com¬ 
pletely adnate to the ovary, the limb (pappus) of bristles, 
awns, teeth, scales. Corolla tubular, usually 5-lobed or 
5-cleft, or that of the marginal flowers expanded into a 
ligule (ray). Stamens usually 5, borne on the corolla 
and alternate with its lobes, their anthers united into a 
tube (syngenesious). Ovary 1-celled. Fruit an achene. 

Artificial Key to Genera. 

Rays yellow or red. 

Receptacle chaffy. 

Receptacle flat or slightly convex. 

Pappus none, or of two caducous awns. 

XII. Berlandiera. 

Pappus a persistent irregular cleft crown. 

XIII. Engelmannia. 

Pappus of two short teeth or awns or mere border. 

Bracts of the involucre all separate. 

XVIII. Coreopsis. 

Bracts of the involucre united to about the mid¬ 
dle. XIX. Thelesperma. 

Receptacle convex or conic. 

Achenes 4-angled. XIV. Rudbeckia. 

Achenes terete; leaves cordate-clasping. 

XV. Dracopis. 

Achenes compressed, winged. XVI. Ratibida. 

Achenes turbinate. XXIV. Gaillardia. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


187 


Receptacle naked. 

Receptacle convex. 

Pappus of capillary bristles, leaves bristly-serrate. 

I. Sideranthus. 

Pappus of scales. 

Bracts of the involucre appressed. 

XXII. Tetraneuris. 
Bracts of the involucre spreading or reflexed at 
maturity. XXIII. Helenium. 

Receptacle flat or nearly so. XXVI. Senecio. 

Rays white, pink or purplish. 

Rays many. 

Pappus present. 

Pappus of a dentate crown, or short teeth. 
Receptacle naked; achenes prismatic. 

II. Aphanostephus. 

Receptacle chaffy; achenes 4-sided. 

XVII. Echinacea. 

Pappus at least in part of awns or bristles. 
Pappus of a few long awns or coarse bristles, 
or in ray-flowers reduced to palea. 

IV. Townsendia. 
Pappus of numerous, capillary bristles, at least 
on the disk achenes. 

Involucre turbinate; bracts imbricated in sev¬ 
eral rows; rays white. VI. Leucelene. 

Involucres hemispheric or broad; bracts in 1-3 
rows; rays white to purple. VII. Erigeron. 
Pappus none, or a ring of minute bristles. 

III. Beilis. 


188 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Rays few. 

Receptacle naked; achenes fusiform, terete; pappus 
of bristles and scales. V. Chaetopappa. 

Receptacle chaffy; achenes flat; pappus none. 

XXV. Achillea. 


Rays none. 

Receptacle chaffy. 

Pappus none. IX. Filago. 

Pappus of 2 retrorsely, hispid awns or scales. 

XIX. Thelesperma. 
Pappus of 5 or 6 acute or acuminate, ovate or 
lanceolate scales. XX. Marshallia. 

Pappus of 5 to 12 awned scales. XXIV. Gaillardia. 
Receptacle naked. 

Pappus of capillary bristles. 

Plants dioecious or polygamo-dioecious. 

Shrubs; leaves mostly toothed. 

VIII. Baccharis. 
Herbs; leaves entire. X. Anteimaria. 

Plants not dioecious, flowers all fertile. 

XI. Gnaphalium. 

Pappus of thin obtuse scales. 

XXI. Hymenopappus. 

Receptacle bristly. 

Leaves prickly. XXVII. Cirsium. 

Leaves not spiny. XXVIII. Centaurea. 


I. SIDERANTHUS Fraser. 

Annual or perennial herbs with alternate, simple to pin- 
natifid leaves and numerous, rather large heads of yellow 
flowers with yellow rays. Leaves small, toothed or pin- 
natified, sessile. Involucre campanulate, many-flowered, the 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


189 


bracts with green tips, in several series, receptacle naked. 
Achenes obtuse, compressed, 8-10 nerved. Persistent 
pappus of 1 or more series of unequal, smooth or barbel- 
late bristle. 

1. Sideranthiis spinulosus (Nutt.) Sweet. Cut-leaved Sider- 
anthus. Perennial by thick, woody roots, canescent or glabrate, 
much branched, G'-15' high. Leaves pinnatifid, sessile, linear to 
ovate in outline, the lobes with bristle-pointed teeth. Heads several 
or numerous, G"-12" broad. Involucre hemispheric, its bracts linear, 
acute, appressed. Rays narrow. Achenes pubescent. Pappus soft 
and capillary. 

In dry soil. March-September. Kingfisher County. 

II. APHANOSTEPHUS DC. 

Slender, low, annuals or perennials, much branched, with 
entire to pinnatifid leaves, and pedunculate white-rayed 
heads. Bracts broadly lanceolate, well imbricated, recep¬ 
tacle conic or hemispheric. Achenes terete, truncate, 
with low, laciniate or ciliate pappus. 

1. Aphanostephus skirrobasis (DC.) Trelease. Apitanostepitus. 
Erect, or diffusely branched, densely canescent, G'-24' high. Basal 
and lower leaves spatulate, somewhat dentate, laciniate or entire, 
narrowed into margined petioles. Upper leaves lanceolate to oblong, 
mostly sessile. Heads 8"-12" broad, 3"-5" high. Rays numerous, 
narrow, entire. Achenes ribbed and angled. Pappus a lobed or 
dentate crown. 

In dry soil. May-August. 

III. BELLIS (Tourn.) L. 

Tufted herbs, with branching or scapose stems. Leaves 
alternate or basal. Heads of both tubular and radiate 
flowers. Involucre hemispheric, bracts herbaceous, imbri¬ 
cated in 1 or 2 series* Receptacle convex or conic, naked. 
Ray flowers white or pink, pistillate. Disk-flowers yellow, 
perfect, tubular, 4-5 toothed. Achenes flattened, obovate, 
nerved near the margins. Pappus none, or a ring of minute 
bristles. 

1. Beilis intergrifolia Michx. Western Daisy. Diffusely 
branched, pubescent, G'-15' high. Leaves entire, the lower and basal 
ones spatulate, P-3' long, narrowed into margined petioles, the upper 


190 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


smaller, oblong, oblanceolate or linear. Heads 6"-15" broad. Bracts 
of the involucre acute or acuminate, scarious-margined, glabrous or 
nearly so. Rays usually violet, oblong-linear. 

In moist soil. May-July. Oklahoma County and Arbuckle Moun¬ 
tains. 


IV. TOWNSENDIA Hook. 

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, 
entire, linear or spatulate. Heads of both tubular and 
radiate flowers. Involucre hemispheric, bracts imbricated 
in several series, the outer shorter. Receptacle nearly 
flat, naked or fimbrillate. Ray-flowers pink or white, pistil¬ 
late. Disk-flowers tubular, perfect, 5-lobed. Achenes of 
the disk-flowers compressed, those of the rays commonly 
3-angled. Pappus a single series of rigid bristles or short 
scales. 


1. Townsendia exscapa (Richards) Porter. Low Townsendta. 
Acaulescent, or nearly so, from a deep, woody root, l'-3' high. Leaves 
all clustered at the base, linear or slightly spatulate, 1/-2' long. 
Heads sessile, l'-l%' broad, equaled or surpassed by the leaves. In¬ 
volucre broadly campanulate. Rays white or purplish. Pappus a 
row of rigid bristles. 

In dry soil. Wichita Mountains. April-July. 

V. CHAUTOPAPPA DC. 

Annual, slender, much-branched herbs. Leaves small, 
alternate, entire. Long peduncled heads of both tubular 
and white or purple, radiate flowers. Involucre campanu¬ 
late, bracts imbricated in a few series, the outer shorter. 
Receptacle small, naked. Ray-flowers in 1 row, pistillate. 
Disk-flowers perfect, 5-lobed. Achenes nearly terete, fusi¬ 
form, or linear, 5-ribbed. Pappus usually of 5 rigid, awn¬ 
like, scabrous bristles, alternating* with as many short 
scales or more. 

1. Chaetopappa asteroides DC. Chaetopappa. Slender, 2' -12' 
high, the branches filiform. Lower and basal leaves spatulate, %VT 
long, the upper linear, bractlike. Heads .about 3" broad. Involucre 
about 2" high, its bracts scarious-margined. Rays 5-12, raised on 
slender tubes. Achenes pubescent. 

In dry soil. Frequent. April-July. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


191 


VI. LEUCELiENE Greene. 

Low, perennial herbs. Leaves oblanceolate, linear, or 
subulate. Heads solitary at the ends of the branches. 
Involucre turbinate, bracts imbricated in several series. 
Ray-flowers pistillate and fertile, ligules white, turning 
reddish. Disk-flowers perfect, white, tubular-funnel-form, 
5-toothed. Style-branches with ovate, obtuse appendages. 
Achenes long, flattened, hispidulous. Pappus a single se¬ 
ries of slender, rough, white bristles. 

1. Leucelene ericoidies (Torr.) Greene. Rose Heath Aster. 
Stems tufted from deep, woody roots, corymbosely branched, 3'-12' 
high, hispid or scabrous. Leaves hispid-ciliate, erect or slightly 
spreading, the lower and basal ones spatulate, 3"-6" long, the upper 
sessile, linear, or linear-spatulate. Heads terminating the branches, 
5"-8" broad. Involucre broadly turbinate, its bracts appressed, 
scarious-margined, imbricated in 3 or 4 series. Rays 12-15, white 
or rose, 2"-4" long. 

In dry soil. May-August. 

VII. ERIGERON L. 

.Branching or scapose herbs. Leaves alternate or basal. 
Heads corymbose, paniculate, or solitary, of tubular and 
radiate flowers. Involucre hemispheric or saucer-shaped, 
bracts imbricated in but one or two series. Receptacle 
nearly flat, naked. Ray-flowers white, violet or purple, 
pistillate. Disk-flowers yellow, perfect, 5-lobed. Achenes 
flattened, usually 2-nerved. Pappus-bristles fragile, slen¬ 
der, scabrous, in 1 series, or often an additional outer short 
series. 

Rays 100-150, narrow, mostly purple or violet. 

Pappus simple; plant erect, corymbosely branched. 

1. E. philadelphicus. 

Pappus double; plant diffusely branched, western. 

2. E. divergens. 

Rays much less numerous, purplish or white. 

Plants 5'-12' high, diffuse, western; pappus simple. 

3. E. Bellidiastrum. 


192 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Plants 6'-3° high, erect, branched; pappus double. 
Pappus of the ray-flowers and disk-flowers unlike. 
Stem leaves lanceolate, nearly all sharply 
serrate. 4. E. annuus. 

Stem leaves linear-lanceolate or oblong, nearly 
all entire. 5. E. ramosus. 

Pappus of the ray-flowers and disk-flowers alike; 

|plant hirsute. 6. E. tenuis. 

1. Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia Fleabane. Per¬ 
ennial by stolons and offsets, slightly pubescent, 12'-36' high. Basal 
and lower leaves spatulate or obovate, dentate, l'-3' long. Upper 
stem leaves clasping, dentate, or entire. Heads corymbose-paniculate, 
5"-12" broad. Peduncles thickened at the summit. Rays 100-150, 
2"-4" long, light rose, purple, to pinkish. Achenes puberulent. 

In fields and woods. April-August. Common. 

2. Erigeron divergens T. & G. Spreading Fleabane. Annual 
or biennial, 6'-15' high, densely cinereous-pubescent or hirsute. Basal 
and lower leaves spatulate or oblanceolate, entire, dentate or lobed, 
P-2' long, the upper sessile, linear. Heads 8"-12" broad. Involucre 
hemispheric. Rays about 100, purplish, violet, or nearly white, 
2"-4" long. Pappus double, the shorter outer row of bristles sub¬ 
ulate. 

In moist soil. April-September. 

3. Erigeron Bellidiastrum Nutt. Western Daisy Fleabane. 
Annual, 6'-15' high, cinerous-pubescent throughout. Leaves eiitire, 
linear, spatulate, the lower petioled, V-IV 2 ' long, the upper sessile, 
and smaller. Heads 5"-8" broad. Rays 30-65, purplish, about 2" 
long. Pappus a single series of capillary bristles. 

In moist soil. May-July. Kingfisher and Oklahoma Counties. 

4. Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Sweet Scabious. Daisy Flea- 
bane. Annual, pubescent with spreading hairs. Stem stout, l°-4° 
high. Leaves coarsely and sharply toothed, the lowest ovate, the 
upper ovate-lanceolate. Heads corymbed. Rays white, tinged with 
purple. Pappus double, the inner a series of slender bristles, the 
outer short, slender scales. 

Fields. May-November. Payne County. 

5. Erigeron ramosus (Walt.) B. S. P. Daisy Fleabane. Re¬ 
sembling No. 4, but lower, with appressed pubescence. Stem leaves 
linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate, nearly all entire. Basal and low¬ 
est spatulate or oblong, usually serrate. Bracts of the involucre 
nearly glabrous. Rays white or sometimes purplish. 

In meadows and prairies. Common. July-August. 

6. Erigeron tenuis T. & G. Slender Rough Fleabane. Annual 
or biennial. Branched from the base, strigose-pubescent. Stems 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


193 


12'-high or less. Basal leaves obovate to spatulate, long, 

usually toothed. Stem leaves linear to linear-oblong, toothed or en¬ 
tire. Heads 7"-10" broad. Rays white or purplish, numerous. 
Pappus of ray-flowers and disk-flowers alike, of few long bristles 
and short small scales. 

Moist prairies and plains. April-May. Kingfisher County. 

VIII. BAOCHARIS L. 

Dioecious shrubs or herbs. Leaves alternate. Heads of 
tubular flowers, paniculate or corymbose. Involucre cam- 
panulate, bracts imbricated in several series, the outer 
shorter. Receptacle flat, naked, commonly foveolate. Co¬ 
rolla of the pistillate flowers slender, that of the staminate 
tubular, 5 lobed. Style-branches of the sterile flowers rudi¬ 
mentary, tipped with an ovate, pubescent appendage. 
Achenes more or less compressed, ribbed. Pappus of the 
fertile flowers copious, capillary, that of the sterile flowers 
short. 

1. Baccharis salicina T. & G. Willow bacciiaris. A glabrous 
much-branched shrub, 3°-6° high, the branches ascending. Leaves 
oblong-lanceolate, more or less 3-nerved, mostly obtuse at the apex, 
narrowed into a cuneate base, 12"-18" long, repand-dentate or entire. 
Heads in clusters of 1-9. Pappus usually but a single series of 
nearly white capillary bristles. 

Frequent along rivers. May-July. 

IX. FILAGO Loefl. 

White-woolly annual herbs. Leaves alternate, entire. 
Heads small, discoid, clustered, usually subtended by leafy 
bracts. Bracts of the involucre few and scarious. Re¬ 
ceptacle convex, chaffy. Outer flowers of the heads in sev¬ 
eral series, pistillate, fertile. Central flowers few, perfect, 
mainly sterile. Achenes compressed or terete. Pappus 
none. 


1. Filago prolifera (Nutt.) Britton. Filago. Stem simple or 
branched at the base, very leafy, 2'-6' high. Leaves spatulate, ses¬ 
sile, 4"-8" long. Heads in a sessile, leafy-bracted cluster. Recep¬ 
tacle convex. Chaff of the central sterile flowers woolly-tipped, that 
of the fertile flowers scarious, mostly glabrous. 

In dry soil. April-July. Common. 


194 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


X. ANTENNARIA Gmrtn. 

Perennial, white, woolly herbs. Leaves mostly basal, 
broad, entire. Heads corymbose or racemose. Heads many- 
flowered, dioecious, the flowers all tubular. Involucre dry, 
scarious, white or colored, imbricated. Receptacle naked. 
Achenes terete or flattish. Pappus a single row of bristles, 
in the fertile flowers capillary, in the staminate ones clavel- 
late-thickened at the tips. 

Basal leaves large, mostly 2'-5' long, mostly 10" wide or 
wider, oblong to obovate, 3-5-nerved.' 

1. A. plan-tag ini folia. 

Basal leaves small, 2'-long or less, spatulate to oblanceo- 
late or obovate, mostly 1-nerved. 

2. A. campestris. 

1. Antennaria plantagin folia (L.) Richards. Plantain-leaf 
everlasting. Floccose woolly, stoloniferous, forming broad patches. 
Flowering steins of fertile plant 4'-20' high. Sometimes with erlaml- 
ular hairs. Basal leaves obovate, spatulate or broadly oval, distinctly 
3-ribbed, dull dark-green and cobwebby above, silvery beneath. Stem 
leaves sessile, oblong or lanceolate. Heads in corymbose or often 
subcapitate clusters, 4"-5" broad. Involucral bracts, greenish-white, 
linear to lanceolate. Achenes minutely glandular. Sterile plant 
smaller, 3'-8' high. 

In dry soil. April-June. Common. 

2. Antennaria campestris Rydb. Pratrie Cat’s Foot. Stolons 
short, leafy. Flowering stems of both fertile and sterile plants 
2'-6' high. Basal leaves obovate-cuneate. white-tomentose beneath, 
glabrate above, 1-nerved or indistinctly 3-nerved. Stem-leaves small, 
linear. Heads 3"-4" broad, in sub-capitate clusters. Bracts of the 
fertile heads lanceolate. Bracts of the sterile heads elliptic. 

On dry prairies. May-June. Lincoln County. 

XI. GNAPHALIUM L. 

Woolly, erect, or diffusely-branched herbs. Leaves al¬ 
ternate. Heads discoid, in corymbs, spikes, racemes, or 
capitate. Receptacle flat, convex or conic. Pistillate flow¬ 
ers in several series. Central flowers perfect, tubular, few. 
Achenes oblong or obovate, terete or slightly compressed, 
not ribbed. Pappus a single series of capillary bristles. 

1. Gnaphalium purpureum L. Purplish Cudweed. Annual or 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


195 


biennial, 2'-24' high. Leaves spatulate, or the uppermost linear, 
mucronulate, woolly beneath, glabrous or nearly so above. Heads 
2"-2%" high in a terminal, sometimes leafy, spike. Bracts of the 
involucre yellowish-brown or purplish, lanceolate-oblong. Pappus- 
bristles united below. Achenes roughish. 

In dry, sandy soil. May-September. Oklahoma County. 

XII. BERLANDIERA DC. 

Perennial, canescent, or pubescent herbs. Leaves alter¬ 
nate, simple or lyrate-pinnatifid. Heads large, pedunculate, 
with showy, yellow rays. Bracts imbricated in about 3 
series, the outermost small, oblong, the second series oval 
or obovate, the inner membranous. Receptacle nearly flat, 
chaffy. Ray-flowers 5-12, pistillate, fertile. Disk-flowers 
perfect, tubular, sterile. Achenes obovate, compressed, not 
winged. 1-ribbed on the inner side. Pappus obsolete, early 
deciduous or of 2 caducous awns. 

1. Berlandiera lyrata Benth. Lyre-leaved Berlandiera. Fine¬ 
ly whitish-canescent, acaulescent or short-stemmed. Scapes or ped¬ 
uncles 3'-8' long, bearing a solitary head, or rarely 2. Leaves lyrate- 
pinnatifid, lobes mostly crenate. Heads about l'-broad. Inner bracts 
of the involucre much broader than the outer, orbicular. Achenes 
obovate, keeled on the inner face. 

In dry soil. May-August. Frequent. 

XIII. ENGELiMANNIA T. & G. 

Perennial, hirsute herbs. Leaves alternate, pinnatifid. 
Heads large, corymbose, with yellow rays. Involucre hem¬ 
ispheric. Bracts imbricated in two or three series, the 
outer linear, loose, hirsute, ciliate, the inner oval or obo¬ 
vate, appressed. Receptacle flat, chaffy. Rays 8-10, pis¬ 
tillate, fertile. Disk-flowers about as many, perfect, sterile. 
Achenes obovate, compressed, not winged, 1-ribbed on each 
face. Perhaps a persistent, irregularly cleft crown. 

1. Engelmannia pinnatifida T. & G. Engelmannia. Stem l°-3° 
high. Basal leaves slender petioles, 4'-8' long, their lobes lanceolate 
or oblong, dentate or entire. Upper leaves smaller, sessile, the up¬ 
permost sometimes entire, or with a pair of basal lobes. Heads 
usually numerous, about V broad. Outer bracts of the involucre 
somewhat in 2 series, the first linear, the second broadened at the 
base. 

In dry soil. May-August. Frequent, 



196 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


XIV. RUDBECKIA L. 

Perennial or biennial. Leaves alternate, entire or lobed. 
Heads radiate, long peduncled, many-flowered. Bracts im¬ 
bricated in 2-3 series, spreading. Receptacle convex or 
long-conical, with concave, chaffy sales. Ray-flowers yellow, 
neutral. Disk-flowers purple to brown, bi-sexual. Achenes 
smooth 4-angled, truncate. Pappus a few short teeth or 
wanting. 

1. Rudebeckia hirta L. Black Eyed Susan. Biennial or 
sometimes annual, hirsute or hispid throughout. Stems l°-3° high. 
Leaves sparingly serrate with low teeth, or entire, lanceolate or ob¬ 
long 3 to 5 nerved. Heads commonly few or solitary, 2'-4' broad. 
Rays 10-20, orange or orange-yellow. Bracts of the involucre very 
hirsute, spreading or reflexed. Disk globose-ovoid, purple-brown. 
Chaff of the receptacle linear, hirsute at the apex. Pappus none. 

Prairies and plains. May-September. Common. 

X\. DRACOPIS Cass. 

An annual, caulescent herb, with smooth and glaucous 
foliage, and alternate broad, thickish, entire or slightly 
serrate, 1-ribbed, clasping leaves. Involucre flat, of few, 
narrow, foliaceous bracts. Receptacle slender, with early, 
deciduous, chaffy scales. Ray-flowers few, neutral, yellow. 
Disk flowers perfect, fertile, brownish. Achenes terete or 
nearly so, not angled, striate and transversely wrinkled. 
Pappus wanting. 

1. Dracopis amplexicaulis (Vahl.) Cass. Clasping-leaved Cone- 
flower. Annual. Glabrous throughout, somewhat glaucous. Stem 
branched grooved, 12'-24' high. Leaves entire or sparingly toothed, 
1-ribbed, reticulate-veined, the lower oblong to spatulate, sessile, the 
upper ovate or lanceolate, cordate-clasping. Heads solitary, about 
2' broad. Bracts of the involucre few, lanceolate. Rays yellow, or 
sometimes brown at the base. Disk ovoid-oblong, often becoming 
1' high. 

In wet soil. May-August. Common. 

XVI. RATIBIDA Raf. 

Perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, pinnately divided. 
Heads radiate, long-peduncled, many-flowered. Involucral 
bracts in 2 or 3 series. Disk globose. Receptacle columnar 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


197 


to subulate, the chaff of concave, truncate scales. Ray- 
flowers yellow of with brown at the base, neutral. Disk- 
flowers perfect, fertile, usually grayish. Achenes short, 
flattened, sharp-margined, or winged. Pappus with 1 or 
2 teeth, or none. 

1. Ratibida columnaris (Sims.) D. Don. Prairie Cone-Flower. 
Strigose, pubescent, and scabrous. Stem 12'-30' high. Leaves pin- 
nately divided into linear or linear-oblong, entire, dentate or cleft 
segments. Bracts of the involucre short, linear-lanceolate or sub¬ 
ulate, reflexed. Rays 4-10, yellow, brown at the base, or brown all 
over, 4"-15" long, drooping. Disk gray, elongated-conic or cylin- 
dric. Chaff or the receptacle canescent at the apex. Pappus of 
1 or 2 subulate teeth, usually with several, short, intermediate scales. 

On dry prairies. May-August. Common. 

XVII. ECHINACEA Moench. 

Perennial, erect, branched, or simple herbs, with thick, 
black roots. Leaves rough, alternate, or opposite, 3-5- 
nerved entire or dentate. Heads large, long-peduncled, the 
rays purple, purplish, crimson or yellow, the disk green 
or purple, ovoid. Involucre depressed-hemispheric, bracts 
lanceolate, spreading or appressed, imbricated in 2-4 series. 
Receptacle conic, chaffy. Ray flowers neutral. Disk-flow¬ 
ers perfect. Achenes 4 sided, obpyramidal. Pappus a 
short, dentate crown. 

Rays about Y long, spreading. 1. E. angustifolia. 

Rays l%'-3' long, drooping. 2. E. pallida. 

1. Echinacea angustifolia DC. Narrow-leaved Purple Cone- 
flower. Stem hispid or hirsute, 12'-24' high. Leaves lanceolate 
or linear-lanceolate, hirsute, strongly 3-nerved, entire, 3'-8' long. 
Rays usually 10-12, purplish or white, spreading, 10"-12" long. 

In dry soil. May-October. Infrequent. 

2. Etchinacea pallida (Nutt.) Britton. Pale Purple Cone- 
flower. Similar to preceding species, but often taller. Leaves 
elongated-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, entire. Rays narrow, linear, 
drooping, l%'-3' long, rose purple or nearly white. 

In dry soil on prairies. May-July. Frequent. 

XVIII. COREOPSIS L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite or the upper 



198 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


alternate, entire or pinnately divided. Heads radiate, soli¬ 
tary or corymbed, many-flowerd. Bracts in 2 rows of about 
8 each, the inner membranous and appressed, the outer 
narrower and spreading. Receptacle chaffy. Ray-flowers 
neutral. Disk flowers perfect, fertile. Achenes compressed, 
oval to oblong, often winged. Pappus of 2 scales or bris¬ 
tles, or wanting. 

Style-tips acute or cuspidate; outer involucral bracts 
about as long as the inner. 1. C. grandiflora. 

Style-tips truncate or obtuse; outer involucral bracts 
much shorter than the inner. 2. C. tinctoria. 

1. Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg. Large-flowered Tickseed. 
Perennial. Stem glabrous, l°-3° high. Leaves 1-2 pinnately 
parted, or the lower entire. Heads commonly several, l'-2' broad. 
Outer bracts of the involucre lanceolate, inner ones oval or ovate- 
lanceolate. Rays 6-10, yellow, lobed. Achenes broadly winged when 
mature. Pappus of 2 short scales. 

In dry soil. May-August. Frequent. 

2. Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. Golden Coreopsis. Annual. Stem 
glabrous, 1°-3 1 A° high. Leaves 1-2 pinnately divided into linear, 
mostly entire segments. Heads 10"-12" broad. Involucre hemis¬ 
pheric, its inner bracts brown. Rays 6-10, cuneate, yellow with a 
brown base, or Drown all over. Pappus a mere border, or none. 

In moist soil. May-September. Common. 

XIX THELESPERMA Less. 

Glabrous, annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, 
linear, and undivided, or finely dissected. Heads long- 
peduncled, rays sometimes wanting. Involucre campanu-’ 
late, of two distinct series of bracts, the outer short, narrow 
and somewhat spreading, the inner united nearly to or 
beyond the middle into a cup, their tips scarious-margined. 
Receptacle flat, chaffy. Ray-flowers, when present, neutral, 
rays yellow. Disk flowers perfect, fertile. Achenes papil¬ 
lose on the back, oblong or linear, slightly compressed or 
terete, wingless. Pappus of two retrorsely hispid awns or 
scales. 

Rays large; pappus-awns shorter than the width of the 
achene. 1. T. trifidum. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


199 


Rays inconspicuous, or none; awns longer than the 
width of the achene; perennial. 2. T. gracile. 

2. Thelesperma trifidum (Poir.) Britton. Fine-leaved Tiiel- 
esperma. Annual or biennial. Stem l°-3° high. Leaves numer¬ 
ous, bi-pinnately divided into filiform segments. Heads several or 
numerous, 12"-15" broad. Outer bracts of the involucre about 8, 
subulate-linear, equaling or more than half as long as the inner, 
which are united not higher than the middle. Rays 6-10, somewhat 
spatulate, 3-lobed. Disk purple or brown. 

In dry soil. May-August. Frequent. 

3. Thelesperma gracile (Torr.) A. Gray. Rayless Thelesperma. 
Perennial from a deep root. Stem l°-3° high. Leaves pinnately or 
bi-pinnately divided into linear segments. Heads 6"-10" broad. Rays 
usually none. Outer bracts of the involucre 4-6, oblong or ovate, 
very much shorter than the inner ones, which are united to the mid¬ 
dle or beyond. Disk yellow or brownish. 

On dry plains. May-August. Harmon County. 

XX. MARSHALLTA Schreb. 

Perennial, often tufted, simple or branched herbs. Leaves 
basal or alternate, entire. Heads large, long-peduncled, 
discoid, of purple, pink or white, glandular-pubescent flow¬ 
ers. Involucre broadly campanulate, bracts in 1 or 2 series, 
nearly equal. Receptacle convex, chaffy. Rays none. Flow¬ 
ers all perfect and fertile, their corollas with a deeply 5- 
lobed or 5-parted campanulate limb and a slender tube. 
Achenes turbinate, 5-ribbed and 5-angled. Pappus of 5 or 
6 acute or acuminate, ovate or lanceolate-deltoid, nearly 
entire scales. 

1. Marshallia caespitosa Nutt. Narrow-leaved Mars i-iallta. 
Stems usually tufted and simple, 8'-15' high. Leaves thick, mostly 
basal, faintly 3-nerved, linear or linear-spatulate^ Head about 1' 
broad, borne on a peduncle often 10' long. Corollas pale rose or 
white. Bracts of the involucre linear-lanceolate. 

Prairie and hills. May-June. Infrequent. 

XXI. HYMENOPAPPUS L'Her. 

Perennial or biennial, erect herbs, with angled stems. 
Leaves alternate or basal, mostly pinnatifid or dissected. 
Heads discoid, corymbose or solitary, of white or yellow 
flowers. Involucre hemispheric, bracts 6-12 in 1 or 2 series, 
mostly appressed, colored, petal-like. Receptacle small, 



200 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


naked. Rays none. Disk-flowers all perfect and fertile. 
Achenes obovoid or obpyramidal, 4-5 angled, the faces usu¬ 
ally prominently 1-3 nerved. Pappus of 10-20 thin obtuse 
scales. 

Bracts of the involucre broadly ovate or oval, bright 
white. 1. H. carolinensis. 

Bracts obovate to oblong, grefen or with white tips. 

2. H. tenuifolius. 

1. Hymenopappus carolinensis (Lam.) Porter. White-bracted 
Hymenopappus. Biennial. Stem wholly pubescent or glabrate. 
Leafy below, corymbosely branched, 2°-3° high. Basal and lower leaves 
1-2-pinnately parted or deeply pinnatifid into linear or oblong lobes, 
more or less white tomentose beneath. Upper leaves less divided. 
Heads commonly numerous, corymbose, 6"-10" broad. Bracts of the 
involucre oblong, ovate, white, puberulent or glabrate. Corolla 
white. 

In dry sandy soil. April-June. Common. 

2. Hymenopappus tenuifolius Pursh. Woolly White Hymeno¬ 
pappus. Biennial. Stem slightly tomentose, 12'-24' high. Lower and 
basal leaves 1-3 pinnately parted into linear, filiform lobes, woolly 
pubescent beneath, at least when young. Upper leaves much smaller 
and less compound. Heads numerous, corymbose, 4"-6" broad. Corolla 
white. Acheues densely villous, pubescent. Pappus of several 
ribbed scales. 

On dry prairies. May-September. Common. 

XXII. TETRANEURIS Greene. 

Usually scapose, annual or perennial herbs with mostly 
basal, entire, often punctate leaves and long-pedunculate 
heads. Disk-flowers and rays bright yellow. Involucre 
hemispheric, of. 2 or 3 series of similar, appressed, imbri¬ 
cated bracts. Receptacle convex or conic, naked. Achenes 
turbinate, 5-10 ribbed or angled, variously pubescent. Pap¬ 
pus of 5-12 scarious, aristate, truncate or acuminate scales. 

Stem leafy, branching; stem leaves linear; annual or 
biennial. 1. T. linearifolia. 

Stems tufted, simple, scapose; leaves basal; perennials. 

2. T. stenophylla. 

1. Tetraneuris linearifolia (Hooik.) Greene. Pine-leaved 
Tetraneuris. Annual or biennial. Stem slender 6'-15' high. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


201 


Stem leaves narrowly linear, y 2 f - lojig. Basal leaves spatulate. 
Heads numerous, 6"-8" broad. Rays 6-10, oblong. Achenes pubes¬ 
cent. Pappus of 5 or 6 ovate awned scales. 

In dry soil. May-September. Common. 

2. Tetraneuris stenophylla Rydb. Narrow-leaved Tetraneuris. 
Perennial, with a branched caudex. Bases of the leaves dilated, 
sparingly silky-villous. Blades narrowly linear, long, glab¬ 

rous, punctate. Scape 2'-4' high, minutely strigose. Rays about 5" 
long. 

In dry soil. May-August. Harmon county. 

XXIII. HELENIUM L. 

Annual, biennial or perennial caulescent herbs. Leaves 
alternate, entire or toothed, often decurrent on the stem. 
Heads radiate or rarely discoid, peduncled. Involucre flat- 
tish, bracts in 1 or 2 series, linear or subulate, reflexed or 
spreading. Receptacle convex, sub-globose or oblong, naked. 
Ray-flowers pistillate and fertile, or neutral. Disk-flowers 
perfect, fertile 4-5-toothed, the teeth glandular-pubescent. 
Achenes turbinate, ribbed. Pappus of 5-8 entire, dentate 
or incised, acuminate or aristate scales. 

Disk yellow; leaves with entire blades. 

1. H. tenuifolium. 

Disk purple brown; some of the lower cauline leaves 
with pinnately-parted blades. 2. H. badium. 

1. Helenium tenuifolium Nutt. Fine-leaved Sneezeweed. An¬ 
nual. Glabrous or pubescent above. Stem very leafy and usually 
much branched, 8'-24' high. Leaves all linear, filiform, entire, sessile. 
Heads numerous, corymbose, 9"-15" broad. Rays 4-8, fertile, 3-4- 
toothed, at length drooping. Achenes villous. Pappus scales ovate 
tipped with slender awns. 

In dry or moist soil. May-October. South and eastern part of 
state. 

2. Helenium badium (A. Gray) Greene. Sneezeweed. Similar 
to H. tenuifolium in habit, but usually more slender, the lower 
cauline and basal leaves, or some of them, pinnately parted into 
slender segments. Disk purplish brown. 

In dry soil. May-August. Southwestern part of the state. 


XXIV. GAILLARDIA Foug. 

Annual, biennial or perennial, scapose or caulescent 


202 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


herbs with pubescent fpliage. Leaves alternate or basal, 
entire, toothed or pinnatifid. Heads radiate, long-peduncled. 
Involucre depressed-hemispheric, bracts imbricated in 2 or 
3 series, their tips spreading or reflexed. Receptacle con¬ 
vex or globose, bristly, fimbrillate or nearly naked. Rays 
cuneate, yellow, purple or parti-colored, neutral. Disk- 
flowers perfect, fertile, 5-toothed, the teeth pubescent with 
jointed hairs. Achenes turbinate, 5-ribbed, densely villous. 
Pappus of 6-12, 1 nerved awned scales. 

Stem leafy; style tips with filiform, hispid appendages. 

Rays yellow; fimbrillse exceeding the achenes. 

1. G. aristata, 

Rays purple, or red at base; fimbrillse about equaling 
the achenes. 2. G. pulchella. 

Leaves basal; style-tips with short, naked appendages; 

rays none, or few. 

Leaf-blades pinnately veined and pinnatifid. 

3. G. suavis. 

Leaf-blades 3-ribbed, merely toothed. 4. trinervate. 

1. Gaillardia aristata Pursh. Great-flowered Gaillardia. 

Perennial. Stem hirsute or densely pubescent, with jointed hairs, 
l°-3° high. Leaves densely and finely pubescent, the lower and 
basal ones oblong or spatulate, laciniate, pinnatifid or entire. Upper 
leaves lanceolate or oblong, entire or dentate. Heads broad. 

Rays 10-18, yellow. Fimbrillse of the receptacle mostly longer than 
the achenes. 

On plains and prairies. May-September. Frequent. 

2. Gaillardia pulchella Foug. Showy Gaillardia. Annual, stem 
G'-24' high, hirsute or pubescent, with jointed hairs. Leaves lance¬ 
olate, oblong, or the lower spatulate, entire, dentate or sinuate-pin- 
natifid. Heads l'-3' broad. Rays 10-20, red or purple at the base, 
yellow toward the apex. Fimbrillse of the receptacle equaling or 
scarcely longer than the achenes. 

In dry soil. May-September. Frequent. 

3. Gaillardia suavis (A. Gray) Britton and Rusby. Rayless 
Gaillardia. Annual or biennial. Leaves in a basal tuft, pinnatifid, 
dentate, or some of them entire. Scape 12'-24' high, monocephalous. 
Head about V broad with the odor of heliotrope, globose in fruit. 
Rays none. Fimbrillse of the receptacle obsolete. 

Pappus scales broad, their awns very slender. 

In dry soil. April-June. Common. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


203 


4. Gaillardia trinervate Small. Rayless Gaillardia. Similar 
to G. suavis in habit. Leaves spatulate or oblong-spatulate, merely 
toothed, 3-ribbed. Scape closely pubescent under the head. Involu- 
cral bracts reflexed. Rays none. 

In dry soil. April-June. Frequent. 

XXV. ACHILLEA (Vaill.) L. 

Perennial. Leaves alternate, pinnately divided. Heads 
with ray flowers in a terminal corymb. Involucral bracts 
imbricated in several series, the outer shorter. Receptacle 
chaffy. Ray-flowers white or pink, pistillate and fertile. 
Disk-flowers bi-sexual, tubular, 5-lobed. Achenes oblong, 
compressed, slightly margined. Pappus none. 

Plant loosely woolly or nearly glabrous; inflorescence 
flat-topped. 1. A. Millefolium . 

Plant densely woolly; inflorescence convex. 2. A. lanulosa. 

1. Achillea Millefolium L. Yarrow. Perennial. Flowering 
stems pubescent or nearly glabrous, 12'-24' high. Basal leaves mostly 
petioled, sometimes 10' long, and finely dissected into narrow, pin¬ 
na tifid segments, tomentose, pubescent or neary glabrous. Heads nu¬ 
merous, 2"-3" broad, in terminal compound corymbs. Rays 4-6, 
white, or often pink or purple, less than 2" broad. 

On prairies. May-November. Common. 

2. Achillea lanulosa Nutt. Woolly Yarrow. Similar to the 
preceding species, l°-2%° high, densely silky-woolly nearly all over. 
Leaves deeply bi-pinnatifid into narrow lobes and segments. Inflo- 
resence convex, 2'-4' broad. Involucral bracts greenish-yellow, with 
brownish margins. Rays l"-2t£" broad, white. 

In dry soil. May-September. Common. 

XXVI. SENECIO (Tourn.) L. 

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate or basal. 
Heads many flowered, solitary, corymbose or paniculate, 
yellow. Involucre cylindric or campanulate, bracts in 1 
series, distinct, or united at the base, usually with some 
shorter, outer ones. Receptacle flat, naked. Rays, when 
present, pistillate, fertile. Disk-flowers perfect, fertile, 5- 
toothed or 5-lobed. Achenes terete or compressed, 5-10- 
ribbed, papillose or canescent. Pappus of numerous, slen¬ 
der or capillary, smooth or rough, mostly white bristles. 






204 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Annual or biennial species, with stems leafy throughout. 

1. S. glabellus. 

Perennial species, mostly with rootstocks. 

Leaves and stems more or less persistently woolly or 
tomentose. 2. S. plattensis. 

Plants glabrous, or nearly so, at least when mature, 
the stem sometimes at the base. 3. S. obovatus. 

1. Senecio glabellus Poir. Cress-leaved Groundsel. Annual, 
glabrous throughout, fleshy and tender. Stem hollow, l°-3° high. 
Leaves pinnately divided, the segments sinuate-dentate, entire or 
lobed. Heads numerous, 7"-10" broad, in terminal corymbs. Rays 
6-12. Achenes minutely hispidulous on some of the angles. Pappus 
white, somewhat longer than the involucre. 

In moist soil. April-September. Infrequent. 

2. Senecio plattensis Nutt. Prairie Ragwort. Perennial, more 
or less tomentose, or becoming glabrate in age, seldom over 18' high 
Basal leaves oval, ovate or oblong, more or less pinnatifid, crenulate 
or dentate, long-petioled. Stem leaves smaller and usually pinnatifid. 
Heads several or numerous, corymbose. 

Dry soil. April-June. Common. 

3. Senecio obovatus Muhl. Round-leaf Squaw-weed. Peren¬ 
nial. Stems glabrous, or a little woolly at the base, 9'-24' high. 
Leaves glabrous, the basal ones obovate with a cuneate base, broadly 
spatulate, crenate-dentate, often purplish. Stem leaves spatulate to 
oblong, often incised or pinnatifid. Heads several, corymbose, 6"-8" 
broad. Rays 8-12. Achenes glabrous. Pappus white. 

In moist soil. April-June. Turner Palls. 

XXVII. CIRSIUM (Tourn.) Mill 

Erect, branching or simple, prickly herbs. Leaves al¬ 
ternate or basal, sinuate-dentate, lobed or pinnatifid, usu¬ 
ally very spiny. Heads large, many-flowered, solitary or 
clustered, of purple, yellow, or white, tubular, perfect, and 
fertile, or, rarely, dioecious flowers. Involucre ovoid, or glob¬ 
ose, bract prickle-tipped or unarmed, imbricated in many 
series. Receptacle flat or convex, bristly. Achenes obovate 
or oblong, compressed or obtusely 4-angled, glabrous, smooth 
or ribbed. Pappus of several series of slender, plumose 
bristles, connate at the base. 

Leaves glabrous or hispid above, tomentose beneath. 

1. C. virginianum. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


205 


Leaves tomentose on both sides, or becoming glabrous 
above; western. 2. C. ochrocentrum. 

1. Cilrsium yirginianum (L.) Michx. Virginia Thistle. Bi¬ 

ennial. Stem slender, naked or scaly above, pubescent or somewhat 
tomentose, 2 0 -3%° high. Leaves oblong, oblong-lanceolate, or the 
lowest slightly spatulate, sessile, or somewhat clasping, spinulose- 
margined, entire, lobed or pinnatifid into triangular-lanceolate lobes, 
the lower pubescent or glabrate above, and densely white-tomentose 
beneath. Heads broad, about 1' high. Outer bracts tipped 

with weak, short bristles, the inner merely acuminate. Flowers pur¬ 
ple. 

In dry Woods and thickets. April-September. Common. 

2. Circium ochrocentrum A. Gray. Yellow-spined Thistle. Bi¬ 
ennial, persistently and densely white-tomentose throughout, or the 
upper surfaces of the leaves at length green and glabrous. Stem 
leafy, often 6° high. Leaves usually very deeply pinnatifid into tri¬ 
angular-lanceolate, serrate or entire segments, armed with numerous 
long, yellow prickles. Heads about 21' broad, l%'-2' high, solitary 
at the ends of the branches. Outer bracts tipped with stout, yellow 
prickles, the inner long-acuminate. Flowers purple (rarely white). 

On plains. May-September. Infrequent. 

XXVIII. CENTAUREA L. 

Perennial or annual herbs. Leaves alternate, entire, 
dentate, incised or pinnatifid. Heads large or middle-sized, 
of tubular, purple, violet, white, or rarely, yellow flowers. 
Involucre ovoid or globose, bracts imbricated in many 
series, appressed, fimbrillate, or dentate. Receptacle flat, 
densely bristly. Marginal flowers usually neutral and lar¬ 
ger than the central ones, which are perfect and fertile. 
Corolla-tube slender, the limb regular or oblique, 5-cleft or 
5-lobed, the segments sometimes appearing like rays. 
Achenes oblong or obovoid. Pappus of several series of 
bristles or scales. 

l 1. Centaurea arnerlcana Nutt. American Star Thistle. An¬ 
nual, roughish. Stem 2°-6° high. Leaves entire or denticulate, the 
lower and basal ones spatulate or oblong, the upper oblong-lanceo¬ 
late, mucronate. Heads solitary at the ends of the leafy branches, 
very showy, 2'-4' broad. The involucral bracts ovate or lanceolate 
with conspicuously pectinate appendages. Flowers pink or pur¬ 
ple. Achenes compressed. Pappus of copious, unequal bristles 
longer than the achene. 

Dry plains. May-August. Common in southwestern part of 
state. 



















GLOSSARY 


Abortive organ—An organ or part normal in the species but which 
has failed to reach full development in the individual. 
Acaulescent—Without an aerial leafy stem. 

Accumbent—Applied to cotyledons in the seed when lying against 
the hypocotyl. 

Achene—A one-seeded dry indehiscent fruit with a tightly fitting 
pericarp around the seed. 

Actinomorphic—Radially symmetrical; a flower or organ which can 
be cut into similar equal halves by two or more planes. 
Acuminate—Tapering gradually to the apex. 

Acute—Sharp pointed. 

Adelphous—Having stamens united into groups or brotherhoods. 
Adnate—United with a contiguous part; applied to an anther at¬ 
tached longitudinally to the end of the filament. 

Adventive—Apparently becoming naturalized. 

Aggregate—Clustered or massed together. 

Albumen—Reserve food materials stored in a seed. 

Alliaceous—Having the smell or taste of garlic. 

Alternate—With a single leaf or other organ at each node. 

Alveolate—Pitted like a honeycomb. 

Ament—A slender, usually flexible spike of flowers, as in the wil¬ 
lows. 

Amphibious—Growing at times in the water, at others on the land. 
Amphitropous—A partly inverted ovule. 

Analogous—Organs or parts similar in function but not in origin 
and structure. 

Anastomosing—Connecting so as to form a network. 

Anatropous—An inverted ovule with the micropyle near the hilum. 
Andrecium—The whole set of stamens in a flower. 

Angiospermous—Having the seeds borne within a pericarp. 

Annual—Yearly; living but one year. 

Anther—The spore-bearing part of a stamen containing the micro¬ 
sporangia ; the part which finally contains the pollen sacs. 
Anthesis—The period of flowering. 

Anthocarp—A utricular fruit surrounded by the persistent base of 
the perianth. 

Apetalous—Without petals. 

Apical—At the top. 

Apiculate—Ending in a short, pointed tip. 

Appressed—Lying close against another organ. 

Aquatic—Living in the water. 

Aril—A fleshy organ around the hilum or base of the ovule, 

Aristate—Tipped by an awn or bristle. 


208 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Articulate (teeth of peristome)—Marked by cross-bars. 

Ascending—Growing obliquely upward. 

Auricled, Auriculate—With ear-like lobes or appendages. 

Awn—A slender bristle-like organ. 

Axil—The point of a stem just above the base of the leaf. 

Axile—In the axis of an organ. 

Axillary bud—The bud in the axil of a leaf. 

Barbellate—With minute barbs. 

Basal (scale) cells—Oils at the base or insertion of a moss scale. 
Beak—The long point sometimes developed at the tip of the oper¬ 
culum of mosses. 

Berry—A fruit with a fleshy or pulpy pericarp. 

Biennial—Lasting two years. 

Bifid—Two-parted. 

Bifurcate—-Forked into two branches. 

Bilabiate—Two-lipped. 

Bilocular (2-locular)—having two cavities. 

Bi-pinnate—Twice pinnately compound. 

Bi-pinnatifid—Twice pinnatifid. 

Bisporangiate—Having both microsporangia and megasporangia; 

having both stamens and carpels. 

Blade—The expanded part of a leaf. 

Bloom—The white powdery layer on some plants. 

Bract—A small, rudimentary, or imperfectly developed leaf. 

Bracteate—Having bracts. 

Bractlet—A secondary bract, as one upon the pedicel of a flower. 
Bud scale—One of the scales in the winter bud of woody plants. 

Bulb—A bud with fleshy bracts or scales, usually subterranean. 
Bulblet—A small bulb, especially one borne upon the stem. 

Bundle scar—A scar in a leaf scar produced by a vascular bundle. 

Caducous—Falling away very soon after development. 

Csespitose—Growing in tufts. 

Calyx—The outer set of sterile floral leaves ; the whole set of se¬ 
pals. 

Cambium—The cylinder of growing cells in some stems. 

Campanulate—Bell-shaped. 

Canescent—With gray or hoary fine pubescence. 

Capitate—Arranged in a head. 

Capsule—A dry fruit of two or more carpels- usually dehiscent by 
valves or teeth. Sometimes applied to the sporangium of a 
bryophyte. • 

Carpel—The megasporophyll of a seed plant; the modified leaf bear¬ 
ing the ovules. 

Carpellate—Having only carpels, or carpellate flowers. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


209 


Caryopsis—The grain of fruit of grasses, with a thin pericarp ad¬ 
herent to the seed. 

Catkin—Same as ament. 

Caudate—Tailed ; pointed like a tail. 

Caulescent—Having an evident stem. 

Cauline—Pertaining to the stems. 

Cell—The unit of plant and animal structure; usually consisting 
of a small mass of protoplasm containing a nucleus and with 
a cell wall. 

Chaff—Dry, thin scales. 

Chalaza—The base of an ovule. 

Chartaceous—-Having the texture of paper or parchment. 
Chloroplasts—The minute, green, chlorophyll-bearing color bodies in 
the cells of a plant. 

Chlorophyll—The green coloring matter of plants. 

Choripetalous—Having the petals separate or free. 

Cilia—Slender protoplasmic lashes or projections extending from cer¬ 
tain cells. Slender hair-like processes between the teeth of the 
peristome of a moss. 

Ciliate—Provided with marginal hairs; having cilia. 

Ciliolate—Minutely ciliate. 

Cinerous—Ash-colored ; ashy. 

Circinate—Rolled inward from the apex. 

Circumscissile—Transversely dehiscent, the top falling off as a lid. 

developing from lateral archegonia. 

Clavate—Club-shaped. 

Claw—The narrowed base of certain petals. 

Cleft—Divided almost to the middle. 

Cleistogamous—Flowers which do not opfen and are pollinated from 
their own anthers. 

Complete flower—One having sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. 
Compound—Composed of several parts or divisions. 

Compressed—Flattened laterally. 

Conduplicate—'Folded lengthwise. 

Connate—United from the first. 

Convolute—Rolled around or rolled up longitudinally. 

Cordate—Heart-shaped. 

Coriaceous—Leathery. 

Conn—A swollen, fleshy, upright, geophilous stem. 

Corolla—The inner set of sterile, usually colored, floral leaves; the 
whole set of petals. 

Corona—An appendage of the corolla ; a crown-like margin at the 
ton of an organ. 

Corymb—A convex or flat-topped inflorescence of the racemose type. 
Corymbose—In corymbs, or corymb-like. 

Cotyledon—A leaf-like organ of the embryo in the seed. 



210 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Crenate—With rounded teeth. 

Crenulate—Minutely crenate. 

Creeping—Running along at or near the surface of the ground and 
rooting. 

Crustaceous—Hard and brittle. 

Cuculate—Hooded, or hood-shaped. 

Cuneate—W edge-shaped. 

Cuspidate—With a sharp stiff point. 

Cyathium—A cuplike inflorescence, as in the spurges. 

Cyme—An inflorescence of the determinate type, the central flower 
developing first. 

Cymose—Having cymes; or like cymes. 

Deciduous—Falling away at the end of the growing period. 
Decompound—More than once compound. 

Decumbent—With an inclined position but the end ascending. 
Decurrent—Applied to an organ extending along the sides of an¬ 
other. 

Deflexed—Bent or turned abruptly downward. 

Dehiscence—The opening of an ovulary, sporangium, or pollen sack 
for the discharge of the contents. 

Dehiscent—Opening regularly by valves, slits, etc., as a capsule 
or anther. 

Deliquescent—Dissolving or liquefying. 

Deltoid—Broadly triangular. 

Dentate—With outwardly projecting teeth. 

Denticulate—Finely toothed. 

Depressed—Somewhat flattened from above. 

Determinate—Definite or fixfed, as when a flower develops at the end 
of a stem. 

Diadelphous—Having the stamens united into two sets. 

Dichotomous—Two-forked. 

Dicotyledonous—Having two cotyledons. 

Di-dynamous—Applied to stamens when in two pairs of unequal 
length. 

Diecious—Having the staminate flowers and the carpellate flowers 
on separate plants. 

Dioecious—Same as diecious. 

Diffuse—Loosely spreading. 

Digitate—Diverging like the spread fingers. 

Dimorphous—Of two forms. 

Discoid—Resembling a disk. 

Disk—A flattened enlargement of the receptacle of a flower or in¬ 
florescence ; the head of tubular flowers in the sunflowers and 
related plants. 

Dissected—Divided into many segments. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


211 


Distinct—Separate, not united. 

Divaricate—Diverging at a wide angle. 

Divided—Cleft to the base or to the midrib. 

Dorsal—On the back or pertaining to the back. 

Exserted—Extended beyond surrounding organs or parts; protrud¬ 
ing. 

Ex-stipulate—Without stipules. 

Extrose—'Facing outwards. 

Falcate—Scythe-shaped. 

Elliptical—Like an ellipse. 

Emarginate—With a notched apex. 

Embryo—An incipient plant especially in the seed. 

Embryo sac—The female gametophyte, contained in the ovule of 
seed plants. 

Endocarp—The inner layer of the pericarp. 

Endorsperm—The nourishing tissue developed around the embryo 
in the female gametophyte of the anthophyta. 

Entire—Without teeth, serrations, or lobes. 

Ephemeral—Containing for only a day or less. 

Epigynous—Aduate to the surface of the ovary, so as to be appar¬ 
ently inserted upon the top of it;—said of stamens, petals, or 
sepals; and also of flowers whose parts are of this type. 

Equitant—Straddling or folded around each other. 

Erose—Margined as if gnawed. 

Evanescent—Disappearing early. 

Excurrent—With a tip projecting beyond the main part of the or¬ 
gan. 

Exocarp—The outer layer of the pericarp. 

Exserted—Extending beyond surrounding organs or parts; protrud¬ 
ing. 

Falcate.—Scythe-shaped. 

Fascicled—Densely clustered. 

Ferruginous—Resembling iron rust. 

Fertile—Bearing spores, gametes, or seeds. 

Fertilization—The conjugation of the male and female gametes. 

Fetid—Ill-smelling. 

Filament—The stalk of an anther; a thread-like chain of cells. 
Filamentous—Thread-like. 

Filiform—Like a filament. 

Fimbriate—Fringed. 

Fimbrillate—'Minutely fringed. 

Flaccid—Soft and weak. 

Flexuous—Zigzag; Bending alternately from side {o side. 

Floccose—With loose tufts of wool-like hairs. 




212 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Flower—A determinate sporophyll-bearing shoot, or a modification 
of such a shoot; in the Anthophyta commonly with a perianth. 
Foliaceous—Leaf-like. 

Foliate—'Having leaves; bifoliate, two-leaved; tri-foliate, three¬ 
leaved. 

Foliolate—Having leaflets. 

Follicle—A simple fruit dehiscent along one suture. 

Free—Not adnate to other organs. 

Fruit—The ripe ovulary with the seeds and whatever parts are con¬ 
solidated with it. 

Fruiting—Bearing spores, seeds, or fruit. 

Fruitcose—More or less shrub-like. 

Fugaceous—Falling soon after development. 

Funiculus—The little stalk by which the ovule or seed is attached 
(to the placenta. 

Funnel-form—Applied to corollas with a tube gradually enlarging 
from the base. 

Fusiform—Spindle-shaped. 

Gamopetalous—Having the petals of the corolla more or less united. 
Genera—Plural of genus. 

Genus—The smallest natural group containing distinct species. 
Gibbons—Enlarged or swollen on one side. 

Glabrate—nearly without hairs. 

Glabrous—Covered with a bluish or white bloom. 

Globose—Spherical or nearly so. 

Glomerate—In a close or compact cluster. 

Gregarious—Growing in groups. 

Gynecium—The whole set of carpels in a flower. 

Habit—General aspect. 

Habitat—The place where a plant grows. 

Halberd-shaped—Same as hastate. 

Hastate—Arrow-shaped with the basal lobes diverging. 

Head—A dense, round inflorescence of sessile or nearly sessile flow¬ 
ers. 

Herbaceous—Leaf-like in texture and color. 

Hermaphrodite—An individual having both male and female sexual 
organs. 

Hilum—The scar on a seed where the funiculus was attached. 
Hirsute—Having rather coarse, stiff hairs. 

Hispid—With bristly, stiff hairs. 

Hoary—Grayish with a fine pubescence. 

Hyaline—Clear and translucent. 

Hydrophyte—A water plant. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


213 


Hypanthium—Any enlargement or special development of the torus, 
in a flower, on which the sepals, petals, and stamens are borne; 
a perigynous or epigynous disk. 

Hypogynous—Having the calyx, corolla, and andrecium below the 
gynecium. 

Imbricated—Overlapping. 

Imperfect—Monosporangiate flowers; having only stamens or only 
carpels. 

Incised—Gut into sharp lobes. 

Included—Not projecting beyond surrounding parts. 

Incomplete—Wanting in one of the floral envelopes. 

Incubous—Having the scales or leaves so placed that the upper part 
of each one covers the base of the scale or leaf next above, it. 

Incumbent—Said of cotyledons when reflexed so that the back of 
one lies against the hypocotyl. 

Indehiscent—Not opening. 

Indeterminate—Not definite, nor limited. 

Indigenous—Native to the place. 

Inferior—Situated or arising below other organs. 

Inflated—Bladdery. 

Inflexed—Turned inward. 

Inflorescence—The flower cluster of a plant and its mode of ar¬ 
rangement. 

Inserted—Attached to or growing out of. 

Internode—Part of a stem between two successive nodes. 

Introrse—Pacing inwards. 

Involucel—A secondary involucre. 

Involucrate—Having an involucre. 

Involucre—A whorl of bracts subtending a flower or flower cluster. 

Involute—Rolled inwardly. 

Irregular—A flower with one or more organs of a set unlike the 
others. 

Keel—A projecting ridge. 

Key—A winged fruit, such as the maple or ash. 

Labiate—With a lip-like organ. 

Laciniate—Gut into narrow segments or lobes. 

Lanceolate—Lance-shaped. 

Lateral bud—An axillary bud. 

Lateral scale—A scale on the sides bf an axis. 

Latex—The milky sap of certain plants. 

L ea f—An expansion arising from the axis or branch of a sporophyte, 
usually specialized to carry on the functions of photosynthesis 
and transpiration. 






214 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Leaflet—One of the divisions of a compound leaf. 

Leaf scar—The scar or cicatrix formed where the petiole of a leaf 
separates from the stem or twig. 

Legume—A simple, dry fruit dehiscent along both sutures. 

Lemma—The outer of the two flowering glumes inclosing a grass 
flower. 

Ligulate—Provided with or resembling a ligule; as a ligulate flower. 
Ligule—A strap-shaped organ. A triangular or somewhat elongated 
stipule-like organ on the leaves of Isoetes and Selaginella. 
Liliaceous—Lily-like. 

Limb—The expanded part of a petal, sepal or sympetalous corolla. 
Linear—A long and narrow organ with the sides nearly parallel. 
Lip—Each of the upper and lower divisions of a bi-labiate corolla 
or calyx. 

Lobed—Divided to about the middle or less. 

Loment—A jointed legume. 

Loculicidal—A capsule which splits longitudinally through the middle 
of the back of each cavity or component carpel. 

Lunate—'Crescent-shaped. 

Lyrate—Pinnatifid with the terminal lobe the largest. 

Marginate—Provided with a border or margin of distinct character. 
Monadelphous—Stamens with united filaments. 

Monecious—Having staminate and carpellate flowers on the same 
plant. 

Monocotyledonous—Having one cotyledon. 

Monoecious—Same as monecious. 

Muricate—With sharp points or prickles. 

Muriculate—Minutely muricate. 

Mucronate—With a sharp abrupt point. 

Mueronulate—Slightly mucronate. 

Nectary—A nectar-secreting organ. 

Node—The place where two internodes join, normally with a single 
leaf or more. 

Nut—An indehiscent one-seeded fruit with a hard or bony peri-carp. 
Nutlet—A very small nut. 

Ob—A Latin prefix indicating inversion. 

Obcordate—Inversely heart-shaped. 

Oblanceolate—Inversely lanceolate. 

Oblique—Unequal-sided or slanting. 

Oblong—Somewhat longer than broad with the sides nearly parallel. 
Obovate—Inversely ovate. 

Obsolete—Not evident; rudimentary. 

Obtuse—Blunt or rounded at the end. 

Ochreae—The sheathing united stipules of Polygonaceae. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


215 


Oddly pinnate—Pinnately compound and having a terminal leaflet. 
Orbicular—Nearly circular in outline. 

Orthotropous—A straight ovule, having the hilum and micropyle at 
opposite ends. 

Oval—Broadly elliptic. 

Ovary—The female organ of reproduction; an egg-producing organ. 
Ovate—Shaped like the longitudinal section of a hen’s egg. 

Ovule—The megasporangium of a seed plant which later develops 
into a seed. 

Palmate—Diverging like the fingers of a hand. 

Panicle—A compound inflorescence of the racemose type usually of 
pyramidal form. 

Paniculate—Borne in a panicle; resemblirg a panicle. 
Papilionaceous—Applied to the zygomorphic flowers of the Bean 
family. 

Papillose—With minute blunt projections. 

Pappus—The bristles, awrns, teeth, etc., on the top of an acheile. 
Parietal—Borne on the wall of the ovulary, or pertaining to it. 
Parted—Deeply cleft. 

Pedicel—The stalk of a flower in a flower-cluster. 

Peduncle—The stalk of a flower or flower-cluster. 

Peltate—'Shield-shaped, as a leaf with the petiole attached at or 
near the centre of the blade. 

Pendulous—Applied to an ovule which hangs downward from the 
side of the ovary. 

Pepo—A fruit with a hard outer rind, as a gourd or melon. 
Perennial—Growing for many years. 

Perfect—A flower having both stamens and carpels. 

Perfoliate—Leaves so clasping the stem as to appear as if pierced 

by it. 

Perianth—The calyx and corolla taken collectively. 

Pericarp—The wall of a fruit; the carpel wall. 

Perigynous—Having the sepals, petals and stamens borne on a disk 
or hypanthium surrounding the gynecium. 

Persistent—Remaining attached after the growing period. 

Petal—One of the leaves of the corolla. 

Petiole—The stalk of a leaf. 

Pilose—With long soft hairs. 

Pinna—The primary division of a pinnately-compound leaf. 

Pinnate—Leaves divided into leaflets or segments along a common 
axis. 

Pinnatifid—Pinnately cleft to the middle or beyond. 

Pinnule—A division of a pinna in a compound leaf. 

Pistil—The seed-bearing organ of the flower, consisting of the ovary, 
stigma, and style when present. 



216 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Pistillate—Having pistils, and destitute of stamens. 

Pitted—Marked with small depressions or pits. 

Placenta—The ridge or surface bearing the ovules. 

Plicate—Folded like a fan. 

Plumose—Resembling a plume or feather. 

Plumule—The stem tip or bud of the embryo in a seed. 

Pollen grain—The male gametophyte of seed plants. 

Polygamous—Having perfect and uni-sexual flowers on the same in¬ 
dividual, or on different individuals of the same species. 
Polypetalous—Having several separate petals. 

Pome—A fruit with a fleshy perigynous disk adnate to the ovulary, 
as in the apples. 

Prickle—A stiff sharp-pointed outgrowth from the epidermis. 
Procumbent—Lying on the ground. 

Prostrate—Lying flat upon the ground. 

Puberulent—With very short hairs. 

Pubescent—Hairy, especially with fine and soft hairs. 

Punctate—With translucent dots or glands. 

Raceme—An elongated inflorescence with each flower on a peduncle. 
Racemose—Like a receme, or in a receme. 

Rachis—The axis of a compound leaf, spike, or raceme. 

Radiate—Radiating ; with ray-flowers. 

Ray—A marginal strap-shaped corolla as in the sunflower. 
Receptacle—The end of the flower stalk bearing the floral organs. 
Reflexed—Bent backward abruptly. 

Regular—Having the parts of each set alike in size and shape. 
Reniform—Kidney-shaped. 

Repand—With a more or less wavy margin. 

Reticulate—Arranged as a network. 

Retrorse—Directed downward or backward. 

Retuse—With a shallow notch at the end. 

Revolute—Rolled backward. 

Rhizome—An underground stem. 

Rootstock—A rhizome. 

Rostrate—With a beak. 

Rotate—With a flat round corolla; wheel-shaped. 

Rugose—W rinkled. 

Runcinate—Sharply and coarsely pinnatifid with the lobes turned 
backward. 

Runner—A prostrate lateral offshoot rooting at the nodes. 

Sagittate—Shaped like an arrow head. 

Salver-form—Applied to a corolla with a border spreading at right j 
angles to the tube. 

Saccate—Sac-shaped. 

Samara—A simple indehiscent winged fruit. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


217 


Scabrous—Rough. 

Scale—A highly modified dry leaf as in a winter bud; also the fleshy 
leaf bases or leaves of a bulb; a flat more or less membranous 
outgrowth from a leaf or stem. The leaf-like expansions on the 
gametophytes of mosses and liverworts. 

Scape—A leafless or nearly leafless stem, coming from an under¬ 
ground part and bearing a flower or flower cluster. 

Scapose—Having scapes or resembling scapes. 

Scorpioid—Having the axis of the inflorescence coiled to one side. 

Scurfy—Covered with scurf, minute membranous scales, as in Cheno- 
podium. 

Scarious—Thin, dry, and translucent, not green. 

Secund—Twisted or turned to one side. 

Seed—The matured and modified ovule with a dormant embryo. 

Segment—A division of a compound leaf or of a perianth. 

Sepal—One of the leaves of a calyx. 

Septicidal—A capsule which splits longitudinally through its parti¬ 
tions, thus dividing it into component carpels. 

Serrate—With teeth projecting forward. 

Serrulate—Finely serrate. 

Sessile—Without a stalk. 

Seta—The stem or stalk of a moss sporophyte. 

Setaceous—Bristle-like. 

Silicle—A silique not much longer than wide. 

Silique—An elongated two-valved capsular fruit with two parietal 
placentae. 

Sinuate—With strongly wavy margins. 

Sinus—The space between two lobes. 

Spadix—A fleshy spike-like inflorescence. 

Spathe—A bract subtending a spadix as in the Aroids. 

Spatulate—Widened at the top like a spatula. 

Spicate—Resembling a spike. 

Spike—An elongated inflorescence with sessile or nearly sessile 
flowers. 

Spikelet—A small spike; especially the ultimate flower-cluster of the 
inflorescence of grasses and sedges. 

Spine—A short thorn-like organ representing a leaf or part of a 
leaf in origin, as the spines on the leaves of the Christmas holly. 

Spinose—Beset with spines. 

Spinulose—With small sharp spines. 

Spreading—Diverging and nearly prostrate. 

Spur—A hollow projection from a floral organ. A sfiort stunted 
branch, not a thorn or a dwarf branch. 

Squarrose—With spreading or projecting parts. 





218 


Spring Flora op Oklahoma 


Stamen—The organ of a flower which produces microsporangia, which 
contain the microspores which later develop into pollen grains; 
a microsporophyll. 

Staminodium—A sterile stamen, or any structure without anther 
corresponding tp a stamen. 

Staminate—Having only stamens or staminate flowers. 

Standard—The upper, usually broad petal of a papilionaceous flower. 
Stellate—Star-shaped. 

Sterile—Not producing spores or seeds. 

Stigma—The upper part of the carpel; a special organ of the Angio- 
sperms to catch the pollen grains. 

Stipe—The stalk-like support of a pistil. 

Stipel—The stipule of a leaflet. 

Stipitate—Having a stipe. 

Stipular scar—The mark made on the bark by deciduous stipules. 
Stipular spine—A spine representing a stipule or having the posi¬ 
tion of a stipule. 

Stipules—Bract-like appendages at the base of the petiole of many 
leaves. 

Stipulate—Having stipules. 

Stolon—A basal branch rooting at the nodes. 

Stoloniferous—Bearing stolons. 

Stoma (PI. stomata)—The transpiring pores in the epidermis of the 
higher plants. 

Striate—Marked with fine longitudinal lines or ridges. 

Strigose—With stiff appressed or ascending hairs. 

Style—The narrow top of the carpel or united carpels between the 
ovulary and stigma. 

Sub-acute—Somewhat acute. 

Subcordate—Somewhat heart-shaped. 

Subcoriaceous—Somewhat coriaceous. 

Submerged—Growing under water. 

Subulate—Awl-shaped. 

Succulent—Soft and juicy. 

Sulcate—With a longitudinal groove. 

Superior—Above. 

Suture—A line of dehiscence. 

Sympetalous—With petals more or less united. 

Syncarp—A fleshy aggregate fruit. 

Syngenesious—Said of stamens which are united by their anthers. 
Tendril—A slender coiling organ. 

Terete—Circular in cross section. 

Ternate—Divided into three segments; arranged in threes. 
Terrestrial—Growing on the ground, not in the water. 
Tetradynamous—With four long stamens and two short ones as in 
the cruciferae. 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


219 


Tetramerous—Four-parted. 

Thorn—A highly modified sharp-pointed branch. 

Thorn-like spur—A short stunted branch ending in a sharp point 
or thorn. 

Thyrsus—A dense panicle. 

Tomentose—Covered with dense wool-like hairs. 

Tooth (of peristome)—One of the segments or parts of the peris¬ 
tome of a moss. 

Toothed—Dentate. 

Torus—The upper end of the peduncle which supports the floral 
organs. 

Triadelphous—Having stamens united by their filaments into three 
bundles. 

Trifoliate—A compound leaf with three leaflets. 

Trimerous—Three-parted. 

Truncate—Terminating abruptly by a nearly straight edge or surface. 

Tuber—A thick short geophilous branch or part of a branch. 

Tubercle—A small tuber or a wart-like projection; the persistent 
base of the style in some sedges. 

Tufted—Growing in clusters or clumps. 

Turbinate—Top-shaped. 

Two-ranked—Disposed in two vertical rows along the twig; with 
the third leaf in line with the first. 

Umbel—A determinate inflorescence with all the pedicles arising 
from the same point. 

Umbellate—In an umbel or like an umbel. 

Undulate—With wavy margins. 

Uni-sexual—Having only ovaries or spermaries on one individual. 

Utricle—A one-seeded fruit with a loose pericarp. 

Valvate—Meeting by the margins in the bud, not overlapping; de¬ 
hiscent by valves. 

Valve—One of the parts into which a dehiscent capsule splits. 

Vascular bundle—The conducting strands in the plant body com¬ 
posed of wood and bast in which water and food materials are 
conducted through the roots, stems, and leaves. 

Vein—One of the branches of the vascular portion of leaves or other 
organs. 

Venation—The arrangement of the veins. 

Vernation—The arrangement of the leaves in the bud. 

Versatile—An anther attached at or near its middle to the filament. 

Verticillate—Whorled. 

Villous—With long soft hairs not matted together. 

Viscid—Glutinous ; sticky. 

Whorl—An arrangement of leaves, etc., in a circle round the stem, 



220 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Whorled—A group of three or more similar organs radiating from 
a node. 

Winged—With a thin expansion. 

Woolly—Clothed with long, coiled, or matted hairs. 

Xerophyte—A plant adapted to desert conditions. 

Zygomorphic—A flower or organ which can be cut into similar 
halves by only one plane. 


INDEX 


Acacia _ 

Acanthaceae _ 

Acanthus Family _ 

Aceraceae _ 

Acer _ 

Achillea _ 

Acuan _ 

Adelia _ 

Adders-tongue, Midland_ 

Adder’s-tongue, White _ 

Aesculaceae _ 

Aesculus _ 

Agoseris _ 

Aizoaeeae _ _ 

Alfalfa _ 

Allionia _ 

Allium _ 

Aloe, False _ 

Alsinaceae _ __ 

Alsine _ 

Alsike Clover - 

Altingiaceae __ 

Altingia Family _ 

Amaryllidaceae __ 

Amaryllis Family _ 

American Bladder-nut - 

American Cowslip - 

American Elm - 

American Elder _ 

American Holly - 

American Licorice - 

American Linden _ 

American Vetch - 

American wood strawberry 

Ammiaceae __ 

Amannia_ _ 

A mmoselinum — _ 

Amorpha —_ 

Ampelopsis_ _ 

Amsonia __ 

Amygdalaceae __ 

Anacardiaceae __ 

Andrasace __ 


(55 

167 

167 

100 

101 

203 

65 

132 

9 

8 

102 

102 

184 

38 

74 
37 

6 

13 

40 

41 

75 
59 
59 
12 
12 

100 

129 

29 

174 

98 

81 

107 

82 

62 

120 

114 

125 

77 

106 

134 

63 

47 

127 













































222 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Androstephium __ 8 

Anemone _—_ 40 

Annonacese_ _ 43 

Antennaria _ 194 

Anticlea _ 4 

Aphanostephus — _—_ 189 

Apocynacese __ 134 

Apocynum __ 134 

Araceae_ _ 1 

Arabis __ _ _ _— _ 57 

Arenaria __ 42 

Argemone __ 48 

Arissema __ 1 

Arrow-leaved Violet _ 112 

Arum Family _ 1 

Aselepiadacese — --—_ 135 

Asclepias _____ _135 

Asclepiodora __ 137 

Asimina_ _ 44 

Astragalus __ 8 


Baby-blue-eyes __ 

Baccharis _ 

Baptisia -- 

Bass-wood __ _ 

Beaked Corn Salad- 

Bear-grass __ _ 

Beech, American - 

Beech Family _ 

Bedstraw Milkweed _ 

Bellflower Family _ 

Beilis — ___ 

Berlandiera _ 

Berlandier’s Yellow Flax 

Betulaceae __ 

Betula — - 

Bicknell’s Crane’s-bill _ 

Bignoniaceae __ 

Birch Family _ 

Bird’is-foot Violet _ 

Birch, Red _ 

Birch, River __ 

Bitter Dock _ 

Bitter Nightshade _ 

Bitter-nut __ 

Black Eyed Susan _ 


142 

193 

72 

107 

177 
6 

23 

22 

135 

178 
189 
195 

80 

21 

22 

82 

100 

21 

111 

22 

22 

3G 

159 

18 

100 
















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


223 


Bladder-nut Family _ 

Bladder-pod _ 

Black Haw _ 

Black Locust _ 

Black Medic _ 

Black Sugar Maple_ 

Black Jack Oak_ 

Black Snake-root _ 

Blue Ash _ 

Blue Toad Flax _ 

Blue False Indigo _ 

Blue-eyed Grass _ 

Blue-eyed Mary _ 

Blunt-leaved Milkweed _ 
Blunt-leaved Yellow-cress 

Bois D’Arc_ 

Boraginacem _ 

Borage Family _ 

Box Elder_ 

Bradbury Monarda_ 

Broad-leaved Dock _ 

Buck-bush _ 

Buckeye Family _ 

Buckwheat Family_ 

Buckthorn Family - 

Buffalo-bur _ 

Bunch-Flower Family — 

Bur Oak_ 

Bursa ___ 

Bush Morning-glory- 

Butternut _ 

Button-wood _ 


100 

52 
174 

79 

73 

101 

24 

122 

131 

102 

73 

15 

164 

135 

54 

32 

144 

144 

102 

155 

34 

176 

102 

34 

103 

100 

4 

24 

53 
139 

17 

61 


Caesalpinacese - 67 

Calceolaria - 112 

Callirhoe _ 108 

Caltrop Family - 86 

Campanulacese - 178 

Caprifoliacese - 173 

Carolina Cranes-bill - 83 

Carrot Family - 120 

Carrot-leaved Parsley - 123 

Castilleja - , A --- 105 

Catalpa _—— 106 

Cathartolinum __ 35 

Comelina - * - 















































224 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Carpet-weed Family- 38 

Carpet-weed _ 38 

Capnoides _ 49 

Carolina Dwarf Dandelion - 182 

Carpinns - 21 

Carron Flower _ 11 

Caryophyllaceae _ 43 

Ceanothus _104 

Celastraceae _—_ 99 

Celastrus _ 99 

Celtis - 30 

Centaurea _ 205 

Cerastium _ 41 

Cercis _*_______ 68 

Chamaesaracha _158 

Chaetopappa _190 

Chamaesyce ___*_-____ 93 

Chenopodiaceae _ 37 

Chaerophyllum _122 

Cheeses _ 108 

Cherinia _ 73 

Chick weed Family _ 40 

Chickweed, Common _ 41 

Chickweed, Nodding _ 42 

Chicory Family_ 180 

Chitam Wood _ 98 

Cichoriaceae _ 180 

Cirsium _204 

Clasping-leaved Coneflower _196 

Claytonia _ 40 

Cleavers _173 

Cnidoscolus _ 98 

Cobea Beard-tongue _163 

Cogswellia_123 

Collinsia _164 

Compositae _1S5 

Comandra _ 33 

Commelinaceae _ 2 

Common Blue Violet _110 

Common Hoarhound _152 

Common Plantain _171 

Convolvulaceae _ T _„__13g 

Convallariaceae _ 9 

Convolvulus __ 

Cooperia _ 13 

Conringia ___ 57 
















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


225 


Cornacese _ 12G 

Co rnus _ 126 

Coral-berry _ 176 

Corn Gromwell _ 146 

Coreopsis _ 197 

Cora Speedwell _ 165 

Corydalis _ 49 

Cottonwood _ 19 

Cotinus _ 98 

Crassulaceie _ 58 

Cross Cleavers _ 173 

Cracc-a _ 78 

Crassulacese _ 58 

Crazy-weed __ ^ _ 8 

Cress-leaved Groundsel _ 204 

Crenate-leaved Pbacelia _ 143 

* Croton _—__ 91 

Crowfoot Family _ 44 

Crowfoot, Celery-leaved _ 47 

Cruciferse - 50 

Cucurbitacese _ 177 

Curled Dock _ 36 

Custard-Apple Family ___1_ 43 

Cuthbertia _ /. __ 2 

Cut-leaved C'yclanthera _ 178 

Cut-leaved Evening-Primrose _ 116 

Cut-leaved Germander --—.— 151 

Cut-leaved Nightshade _ 160 

Cut-leaved Sideranthus ___'— - 188 

Cynthia _ 182 

Cymbia _ 183 

Cynosciadium _ 124 

Cyclanthera _ 178 

Daisy Fleabane - : - 192 

Dandelion _ 184 

Deadly Nightshade - 160 

Decumbent Pearlwort _ 42 

Delphinium _ 45 

Dense-flowered Water Willow _ 168 

Dewberry _ 62 

Dianthera _ 168 

Dichrophyllum - 94 

Digitate Psoralea _ 77 

Diospyros _ 129 

Dock, Broad-leaved or Bitter _ 36 















































226 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Dock, Curled or Yellow_ 36 

Dock, Swamp _ 35 

Dock, Tall or Pale _ 35 

Dock, Veined or Winged _ 35 

Dodecatheon__128 

Dogbane Family ___ 134 

Dogwood Family _126 

Downy Grape _ 105 

Downy Painted Cup _:-166 

Downy Phlox_141 

Draba - 51 

Dracopis _106 

Dragon-root _ 1 

Drummond’s Cooperia _ 13 

Drumrpond’s Soapberry _ 103 

Dwarf Dandelion _ 182 

Dwarf Plantain _ 170* 

Early Scorpion-grass _145 

Ebenacese _129 

Ebony Family _ T _129 

Echinacea _197* 

Elm, American or White_ 29 

Elm Family _' _ 29 

Elm, Slippery _ 29 

Elm, Water _ 30 

Elm, Winged _ 29 

Engelmannia _195 

English Plantain _171 

Erigeron ___ 191 

Erythronium _ 8 

Euonymus _ 99 

Euphorbiacese_ 89 

Eustoma _ 133 

Evening Primrose Family_115 

Evolvulus _138 

Fabacese _1_ 70 

Fagacese _ 22 

Fagus- 23 

False Balm _155 

False Indigo _ 77 

Fever-wort _ 175 

Few-flowered Psoralea _ 76 

Few-seeded Mentzelia_114 

Field Pansy _ 112 














































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 227 


Field Penny-Cress _ 55 

Figwort Family ___161 

Filago _193 

Fine-leaved Sneezeweed _201 

Fine-leaved Tetraneuris _ 200 

Fine-leaved Thelesperma _199 

Fame-flower _ 39 

Flax Family _ 81 

Flowering Spurge_ m _ 94 

Forestiera _ 132 

Four-o’clock Family _ 37 

Foxglove Beard-tongue_163 

Fragaria _ 61 

Fraxinus _139 

Fringed Poppy Mallow_109 

Frost Grape_105 

Fumariaceae _ 49 

Fumewort Family _ 49 

Gaillardia-- 201 

Galium _ 172 

Galpi’nsia__119 

Garlic, Yellow False - 8 

Garden pepper-grass _ 55 

Garlic, Meadow _ 7 

Gaura _ 119 

Gentianacese— - 13 r 3 

Gentian Family _133 

Geoprumnon - 78 

Geraniacese - -.- 82 

Geranium — - 82 

Geranium Family- 82 

Gilia--■ <141 

Glaucus Anticlea - 4 

Glandular Croton - 91 

Gleditsia - 68 

Glecoma - 153 

Glycyrrhiza-- 81 

Gnaphalium - 194 

Goat’s Rue '- 78 

Golden Coreopsis -198 

Golden Seal _ 45 

Gooseberry Family - 60 

Goosefoot Family - 37 

Gourd Family -177 

Grape Family _103 















































228 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Greenbrier _ 10 

Greenbrier, Bristly _ 11 

Greater Caltrop _ 87 

Green Dragon - 1 

Great-flowered Gaillardia _201 

Greenbrier, Hispid _ 11 

Greenbrier, Glaucous-leaved _-1 

Greenbrier, Long-stalked - 12 

Grossulariacese _« _ 60 

Ground Ivy _158 

Ground Burnut _ 86 

Gymnocladus__ 69 


Hackberry _ 31 

Hackbetry, Southern _ 31 

Hairy Beard-tongue _163 

Hairy Bedstraw _173 

Hairy Puccoon _146 

Harry Ruellia _ 168 

Hare’s Ear Mustard _ 57 

Hartmannia--117 

Heart’s Ease _112 

Hedeoma_ _156 

Helenium__201 

Heliotropium _ 145 

Henbit__154 

Hickory, Shell-bark _ 18 

Hickory, Swamp - 18 

Hickory, Pig-put - 18 

Hickory, Water or Swamp_ 18 

Hickory, White-heart _ 18 

Hicoria__ l _ 17 

Hillside Ground Cherry-157 

Hoary Bindweed _140 

Hoary Cress _ 55 

Hoary Puccoon -146 

Hoffmanseggia _ 68 

Holly Family- 98 

Honey Locust _ 69 

Honeysuckle Family -173 

Hornbeam, American _ _ _ 21 

Hornbeam, Plop _ 22 

Horse-nettle _160 

Houstonia — -171 

Hydrangeacese_ 59 

Hydrangea Family __—----^_____ 59 















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 229 

Hydrastis __ 45 

Hydro phyllacese__ 141 

Hymenocallis _ 13 

Hymenopappus __ 199 

Hypoxis__ 14 

Ilicaceae _ _ 98 

Illinois Mimosa _ 66 

Ilex __ __ 98 

Ill-scented Sumac _ 97 

Indigofera ***. _ 78 

Inoxalis__ 83 

Ipomoea _ _1_ 138 

Ironwood__ 22 

Iridaceae_ _ _ 14 

Iris Family _ 14 

Jack-in-the Pulpit - 1 

Juglandaceae__ 16 

Juglans__ 2 

Kallstroemia — - 87 

Kentucky Coffee-tree _ 69 

Knot-grass — - 36 

Kneiffia _116 

Krameria Family _ 7 

Krameria — - 7 

Krigia__182 

Labiatae _ __ _,_ ___ 150 

Lamium__153 

Lance-leaved Psoralea _ 76 

Lance-leaved Sage _ 154 

Large-bracted Psoralea _ 76 

Large-bracted Vervain _149 

Large-bracted Wild Indigo_ 72 

Large-bracted Plantain _170 

Large-flowered Beard-tonguie _164 

Large-flowered Tickseed _198 

Large-flowered Verbena _149 

Large-flowered Yellow T Flax _ 86 

Large-white Wild Indigo _ 73 

Larkspur, Carolina _ 46 

Lavauxia_ _ 117 

Least Bluets _... _172 












































230 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Leafy-stemmed False Dandelion -185 

Leafy White Prickly Poppy_ 18 

Leavenworth’s Vetch - 82 

Leontodon - 184 

Lepidium-- ^4 

Leucelene - 491 

Leucelene _ 100 

Light Poppy Mallow -109 

Liliaceae _ 5 

Lily Family _ 5 

Lilac ___ _130 

Lily-of-the-valley Family - 0 

Linaceae__ 84 

Lint-bells_-— - 84 

Linaria__102 

Linden Family _101 

Linum__ 85 

Lippia--140 

Liquidambar__ 60 

Lithospermum -140 

Loasa-family__114 

Loasaceae — -114 

Lobeliaceae--180 

Lobelia Family _180 

Lobelia__ 180 

Loganiaceae _ 132 

Long-flowered Corn Salad _111 

Long-flowered Pennyroyal _156 

Loosestrife Family _114 

Loranthaceae_ 33 

Low Rose _1_ 62 

Low ToAvnsendia _189 

Low Plum _ 64 

Lythraceae__114 


Lyre-leaved Berla'ndiera _194 

Madder Family -171 

Mallow Family -108 

Malvaceae__ 108 

Malvastrum--109 

Malva — _108 

Manfreda__ 13 

Many-flowered Psoralea _ 75 

Maple Family _ 100 

Marribium__ , r _152 

Marshallia__199 















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


231 


Meadow Violet _ 

Medicago__ 

Megapterium __ 

Melanthaceae__ 

Melilotus__ 

Mentzelia __ 

Meriolix__ 

Milkweed Family _ 

Milkwort Family _ 

Mimosa Family - 

Mimosacea 1 ___ 

Mint Family__ 

Missouri Current _ 

Missouri Gourd _ 

Missouri Ground Cherry 

Missouri Primrose_ 

Mistletoe Family _ 

Mockernut__ 

Mock Orange __ 

Mollugo — - 

Monarda___ 

Monolepis - 

Moracese _ _ 

Morning-Glory Family _ 

Morongia__ 

Morus___ 

Mouse-tail — _ 

Mulberry Family_ 

Mulberry, Red *_ 

Mulberry, Paper- 

Muscadine__ 

Mustard Family _ 

Myosurus__ 

Myosotis — - 


111 

73 
118 

4 

74 
114 
U9 
135 

88 

G4 

64 

150 

GO 

178 

157 

118 

33 

18 

59 

38 

155 

37 

31 

138 

66 

31 

47 

31 

32 
32 

106 

50 

47 

145 


Nama-- 144 

Narrow-leaved American Vetch - 82 

Narrow-leaved Purple Coneflower _197 

Narrow-leaved Houstonia -172 

Narrow-leaved Marshallia _199 

Narrow-leaved Puccoon -147 

Narrow-leaved Psoralea - 77 

Narrow-leaved Tetraneuris- 201 

Nemastylis__ 15 

Northern Nemastylis - 15 

Nemophila__:---— 142 















































232 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Neptunia — - 66 

New Jersey Tea —:-----104 

Nodding Violet - 112 

Northern Nemastylis - 15 

North American Papaw- 44 

Norta---- 57 

Nothoscordum — - 7 

Nuittall’s Camass - 5 

Nuttall’s Mock Bishop-weed _125 

Nuttall’s Prairie Parsley _124 

Nuttall’s Stonecrop _ 58 

Nyctaginaceae — - 37 

Nyctelea__142 

Nyssa — -126 

Oak, Basket _ 28 

Oak, Black-jack -:- 27 

Oak, Black _ 26 

Oak, Chestnut or Yellow- 28 

Oak, Live _ 28 

Oak, Mossy-cup or Bur- 28 

Oak, Overcup or Post_ 27 

Oak, Post - 27 

Oak, Red _ 25 

Oak, Rock Chestnut- 28 

Oak, Scrub or Dwarf Chestnut _ 28 

Oak, Swamp White _ 28 

Oak, Shingle --*._ 2|7 

Oak, Spanish or Water_ 26 

Oak, Scarlet _ 26 

Oak, Schneck’s ___ 26 

Oak, Swamp or Pin _ 26 

Oak, Water or Black-jack_ 27 

Oak, Willow ___ 27 

Oak, White _ 27 

Oblong-leaved Milkweed _137 

Ohio Buckeye _102 

Oleaceae__130 

Onagraceae — -115 

Olive Family _ t ___130 

Onion, Heller’s Wild _ 7 

Onion, Prairie Wild _ 7 

Onion, Nuttall’s Wild _ 7 

Onion, Fraser’s Wild ___ 7 

Onion, Wild_^_ 7 

Onosmodium__147 















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


233 


Orpine Family__ 

Orange, Osage _ 

Orange-root _ 

Ostrya____ 

Oval-leaved Bladder-pod 

Ovate-leaved Nama _ 

Oxalidaceae__ 

Oxytropis__ 

Oyster Plant _ 


58 

32 

45 

22 

53 

144 

83 

80 

183 


Pale Dock _ 34 

Pale Purple Cone-flower _197 

Pansy____, fL12 

Papaveracese__ 48 

Papyrius__ 32 

Parthenocissus____ 107 

Passifloracese--113 

Passion-flower Family _ 113 

Passion-flower__113 

Passiflora__113 

Pasture Rose - 62 

Pea Family _ 70 

Peach Family - 1 - 63 

Pearlwort, Decumbent _ 42 

Pecan — _ 17 

Pentstemon__162 

Pepper-vine __ _106 

Pepo_>_,___177 

Persimmon — -129 

Phacelia _ 143 

Philadelphus — - 59 

Philadelphia Fleabane__192 

Phoradendron-- 33 

Phlox ^Family _140 

Phlox — _140 

Phyllanthus_ _ 90 

Physalis — -157 

Pinnate Cynosciadium -124 

Pink Family - 43 

Pitcher’s Leather-flower - 47 

Pitcher’s Sage _154 

Pitcher’s Sandwort - 42 

Plantaginacese - 168 

Pla/nera ^---- , --- 30 

Plantago — —-^-169 

Plantain Family -168 
















































234 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Plantain-leaf Everlasting -194 

Platanacese — - 61 

Platanus_ _ 61 

Plane-tree Family - 61 

Platte Milk Vetch._ 19 

Pleiotamia — -123 

Poinsettia_ _ 95 

Poison Ivy _ 97 

Poison Oak _ 98 

Polemoniacese---- 140 

Polygonum --.— 36 

Polygonacese__ 34 

Polygonatum — - 10 

Polygalaccse _;—;•- 88 

Polygala-- 88 

Polypremum _ 132 

Populus__ 19 

Poppy Family _:--.--— 48 

Poppy, White Prickly _ 48 

Poppy, Leafy White Prickly- 48 

Pope’s Sand Parsley -125 

Portulacacese _ 39 

Potato Family _156 

Prairie Acacia - 65 

Prairie Apple - 77 

Prairie Cat’s-foot _.-194 

Prairie Gone Flower -197 

Prairie Mesquite _ 67 

Prairie Ragwort -204 

Primulacese__127 

Prickly Ash _ 88 

Primrose Family _127 

Prosopis — - 67 

Prunus__:_1_ 64 

Prunella _ 153 

Psoralea — -_- 75 

Ptelea__ 88 

Ptilinium__125 

Purplish Cudweed _194 

Purslane Family _ 39 

Purple-flowered Ground Cherry _15S 

Purple Lemon Monarda _155 

Purple Poppy-Mallow ___109 

Purslane Speedwell _165 


Quercus 


23 























































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 235 

Queen’s Delight _ 92 

Quincula__ : _157 

Radicula _ 53 

Raimannia _ 116 

Ranunculaceae _ 44 

Ranunculus__ 47 

Ratibida _196 

Rayless Gaillardia _202 

Rayless Thelesperma _199 

Red Ash _131 

Red-bud__ 68 

Red Clover _ , _,,_ 75 

Red False Mallow _110 

Red Dead Nettle _154 

Red Plum_ 64 

Resinous Skullcap _152 

Reticulate-seeded Spurge _ 95 

Rhamnaceae__103 

Rhus _ 96 

Ribes — _ 60 

Ripple Plantain _ 169 

River-locust__ 77 

Robinia__ 79 

Rock-moss — - 58 

Rosacese__ 61 

Rosa__ 62 

Rose Heath Aster _191 

Rose Family _ 61 

Rose, Pasture _ 63 

Rough-leaved Dogwood --— 126 

Rough False Dandelion _185 

Round-leaf Squaw-weed _204 

Rough Pennyroyal - 156 

Round-leaved Spreading Spurge - 93 

Rough-fruited Spermolepis _125 

Rubiaceae__ 171 

Rubus-- 62 

Ruellia__167 

Rudbeckia__195 

Rue Family _ 87 

Rugel’s Plantain --171 

Rumex__ 84 

Rutaceae__ 87 

Russell’s Eustoma -182 

Sagina __ - 42 















































236 Spring Flora of Oklahoma 

Salsify ___ _183 

Salicaeeae__ 18 

Salix__ 19 

Salvia__154 

Sambucus - 114 

Samolus__128 

Santalacese_ _ 33 

Sandalwood Family _ 33 

Sand Grape - 106 

Sanicula _ 122 

Sandwort, Pitcher’s - 43 

Sapindacese 103 

Sapindus__103 

Scarlet Gaura _120 

Scarlet Maple _101 

Scarlet Painted Cup _166 

Schmaltzia _ 91 

Scrophulariacese _ 161 

Scutellaria__152 

Sea-side -^Heliotrope _._._145 

Sedum__^- 58 

Self Heal _ 153 

Sensitive-brier__ 66 

Senna Family _ 67 

Senecio,_ _203 

Serinia__182 

Shaggy False Gromwell _147 

Sharp-leaved Beard-tongue _164 

Shepherd’s-purse_ _ 53 

Sheep Sorrel - 35 

Short-fruited Whitlow-grass _ 51 

Showy* Gaillardia -202 

Showy Milkweed -136 

Short’s Milk Vetch _ 80 

Showy Primrose _117 

Short-podded Primrose _ 118 

Short-stemmed Spiderwort _ 3 

Short-stalked Chickweed _ 41 

Shooting Star _129 

Shrubby Buckeye _102 

Sickle-fruited Hoffmstfnseggia _ 68 

Sideranthus _ 188 

Silene — _ 43 

Silver Maple _ 101 

Silver-leaved Nightshade _160 

Silver-leaf Psoralea _ 77 

Silky Sophora _ 72 


















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


237 


Simple-leaved Ampelopsis _ _ 106 

Sisyrinchium _ 15 

Sisymbrium _ _ 54 

Sitilias __ 185 

Slender Bladder-pod _ 52 

Slender Beard-tongue _ 163 

Sleepy Oatchfly - 43 

Slender Heliotrope _ 145 

Slender Milk Vetch _ 80 

Slender Plantain _ 170 

Slender Rough Fleabane _ 192 

Slippery Elm _ 29 

Small Bluet _ 172 

Small Bindweed _ 140 

Small-fruited False-flax _ 53 

Small-flowered Phacelia _ 143 

Small-flowered Verbena! _ 149 

Small Skullcap _:_ 152 

Small Venus’ Looking-glass _ 179 

Smilaceae __ 10 

Smilax _ ____ 10 

Smilax Family _ 10 

Smoothish Chamsesaracha _ 159 

Smooth Ruellia _ 167 

Smooth Solomon’s Seal - 10 

Smooth Upland Sumac _ 96 

Smoothish Yellow Violet _ 112 

Sneezeweed _ 201 

Snow-on-the-mountain ___ 94 

Soapberry Family _ 103 

Soap-weed __ 6 

Solanacese _ 156 

Solanum _____ 159 

Sonchus ___— 184 

Sophora __ 72 

Sophia f __ 56 

Southern Black Haw _ ' _ 175 

Southern Fox Grape _1_ 106 

Sour Gum _ 127 

Spatulate-leaved Fog-fruit _ 150 

Specularia __ 179 

Spermolepis _ 124 

Spiderwort Family _ 2 

Spiderwort __ 3 

Spiderwort, Reflexed _ 3 

Spiderwort, Western _ 3 
















































238 


Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


Spiked Lobelia _ 

Spiny Sow-Thistle_ 

Spreading Chervil_ 

Spring Beauty--— 

Spreading Fleabane _ 
Spring Scorpion-grass 
Spreading Spermolepis 

Spurge Family _ 

Spurge Nettle - 

Staphyleacese__ 

Staphylea _ _ 

Staff-Tree Family _ 

Stemless Loco _ 

Stout Blue-eyed Grass 
Stiff ^Marsh Bedstraw 

Stillingia _ _ 

Streptopus _ _ 

Sumac Family _ 

Sugar Grape _ 

Sugar Maple - 

Swamp Dock _ 

Swamp Hickory_ 

Swamp Locust __ 

Swamp Oak _ 

Sweet Gum _ 

Sweet Scabious _ 

Sweet-Scented Grape 
Sweet-Scented Sumac 

Sycamore__ 

Symphoricarpos __ 

Syringa — - 


__ 180 
184 
__ 122 
40 
__ 192 
146 
125 
__ 89 

93 
100 

__ 100 
__ 99 

__ 80 
__ 15 

__ 173 
__ 92 

9 

__ 95 

__ 105 
__ 101 
34 

__ 18 

__ 77 

__ 26 
__ 60 
__ 192 
__ 105 
__ 97 

__ 61 
__ 176 
__ 130 


Tall Dock _ 34 

Talinum__ 39 

Talinum, Large-flowered _ 40 

Talinum, Small-flowered _ 40 

Tall Poppy Mallow _109 

Tall Sisymbrium - 57 

Tansy-mustard__ 56 

Tansy-mustard, Western _• 56 

Tennessee Milk Vetch _ : _ 79 

Terry’s Nightshade _160 

Tetraneuris__200 

Teucrium__151 

Thelesperma _ v _198 

Thistle Family __ * _1S5 















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 239 

Thlaspi __ 55 

Thread-leaved Sjundrops _ 117 

Three-leaved Hop-tree _ 88 

Three-lobed Primrose _ 118 

Three-lobed Violet __ 111 

Thyme-leaved Spurge _ _ 93 

Tienturier’s Chervil _ 123 

Tiliacese _ 107 

Tilia_ _ 107 

Tithymalopsis _ 94 

Tithymalus_ _ 95 

Tooth-leaved Primrose _ 119 

Toothache Tree _ r _ 88 

Torrey’s Nightshade _ _._ 159 

Townsendia __ 189 

Toxylon __ 32 

Toxicoscordion __ 4 

Toxicodendron __ 97 

Trailing Bindweed _ 140 

Tradescantia _, _ :3 

Tragia- - 91 

Tragopogon _ 183 

Trifolium_ _ 75 

Triosteum _ 175 

Tribulus __ 8G 

Trumpet-creeper Family _16G 

True Water-cress - 54 

Turnip, Indian _ 1 

Ulmaceae __ 29 

rimus __ 29 

Umbrella-wort, Pale - 38 

Umbrella-wort, Heart-leaved _ 38 

Upland Sumac _ 96 

Upright Spotted Spurge _ 94 

Upright Bindweed _ 140 

Upright Yellow Wood-sorrel _ 84 

Valerianaceae _1_ 176 

Valerian Family _ 176 

Valerianella _ 176 

Various-leaved Spurge - 95 

Verbenacese - 148 

Verbena - 148 

Veronica - 165 

Veined Dock _ 34 














































240 Spring Flora of Oklahoma 

Velvet Dogbane _135 

Venus’ Looking-glass -170 

Vervain Family _148 

Viburnum __ 174 

Vicia _ _ * _ 81 

Violaceae__ 110 

Viola__110 

Violet Family _ 110 

Violet Wood-sorrel _ 83 

Viorna __ 47 

Virginia Creeper _107 

Virginia Rock-cress __ 57 

Virginia Thistle _205 

Vitacefje __ 104 

Vitis ___ _ ,105 

/ 

Wahoo _ 99 

Walnut Family _ 16 

Walnut, Black ___J_ 16 

Wall Speedwell _ 165 

Water Ash _131 

Water-cress, True _ 54 

Water Elm _ 29 

Water Hickory _ 18 

Water-Leaf Family _ 441 

Water Locust _ 68 

Water Oak --- 18 

Water Pimpernel _ 128 

Wavy-leaved Gaura _ 120 

Wedge-leaved Fog-fruit _ 150 

Wedge-leaved Whitlow-grass _ 51 

Western Buckeye _ 102 

Western Oatalpa _ 167 

Western Daisy _ 189 

Western Daisy Fleabane __ 192 

Western Dwarf Dandelion _ 183 

Western False Grom well _ 147 

Western Indigo-plant _ 78 

Western Plantain _ ^ _ _170 

Western Tansy-mustard _ 56 

Western Venus’ Looking-glass_ 179 

White Adders-tongue _ 8 

White Ash _ 131 

Wliite-bracted Hymenopappus ___ 200 

White Clover _ 75 

White Elm _ 29 
















































Spring Flora of Oklahoma 


241 


White-flowered Gilia _ 141 

White Milkwort _ 89 

White Prickly Poppy- 48 

White Sweet-clover - 74 

Whorled Milkweed _137 

Wright’s Ammannia _ 115 

Willow Baccharis _,_193 

Willow, Black _ 20 

Wild China Tree _103 

Willow Family _ 18 

Wild Flax _ 84 

Wild Liquorice _173 

Willow, Peach-leaved _ 20 

Wild Pepper-grass - 55 

Wild Potato Vine _ 139 

Willow, Sandbar or River-bank _ 20 

Willow. Ward's _ 20 

Wild Yellow Plum - 64 

Winged Dock _,_ 35 

Winged Elm _ 29 

Wood-Sorrel Family _ 83 

Woolly White Hymenopappus _ 200 

Woolly Yarrow _ 203 

Yarrow__,_203 

Yellow Dock _ 36 

Yellow Flax _ 85 

X Yellow Oak _ 28 

Yellow Phlox _,- 56 

Yellow Sweet-clover _ 74 

Yellow Spined Thistle _205 

Yellow Star-grass _ 14 

Y T ellow Sweet Buckeye _103 

Yellow Wood-Sorrel _ 84 

Yellow Wild Indigo_ 73 

Yucca__ 6 

Zanthoxalis - 84 

Zanthoxylum--l- 87 

Zygophyllacese__ 86 











































/ 











































